- Sections
- ! TODAY'S EXTRAS
- News
- Sports
- Entertainment
- Business
- Tropical Life
- Opinion
- Visitor's Guide
- ElNuevoHerald.com
- Online Features
- Calendar of Events
- Contests
- Message Boards
- Special Publications
- Today's Front Page
- Traffic Reports
- Web Cams
- Podcasts
George Richards is a native Miamian who attended Florida International University and has been at The Herald since his days roaming the halls of Cooper City High. Richards has covered everything from the Rose Bowl to the Super Bowl, from the World Series to state basketball in Lakeland and everything, it seems, in between. Richards has been the Panthers beat writer since the 2004-05 season that never was, and is excited to finally see some pucks hit the ice.
Submitted by cathysiren from lighrhousepoint
Q: whenisthenhlplayoffsdone
Answered 04/26/08 02:00:11 by George Richards
A: inaboutamonthorsoSubmitted by Scott from Plantation,Florida
Q: Good morning George. Wow, what a first round between the Bruins and Habs, and the Flyers and Caps. Both series were wildy entertaining. But to my question. I was listening to XM radio this morning and I heard talk that Doug Mclean was interested in the Panther's coaching job. They were asking Dennis Potvin what he thought about it. What are your thoughts George? It's been so long since he's coached down here I'm not sure how I feel about it. I know he's a better communicator than Jaques is, and that might be partly what this team needs. And I know he's more firey too, and that also could be some of what this team needs. What do you think?
Answered 04/24/08 12:44:12 by George Richards
A: I think Doug would be fine as coach of this team, he's obviously a hockey guy and is perfect for this market. BUT, I don't think he and JM would be a good fit. Two different kind of personalities, different mindsets. But JM says he'll talk to Doug about the job, so who knows...could be just what the team needs...Submitted by Steve O from Sunrise,fl
Q: George, SO read somewhere about martain possibly talking to his old buddy Doug Maclean about coaching? Maclean apparently has been quoted as saying he'd love to come back and coach and is gonna talk to JM this week and JM said he is open to the idea but is gonna take the coaching process slow. Any truth to this rumor?
Answered 04/22/08 18:40:57 by George Richards
A: Well, Martin was quoted as saying he'd talk to Dougie Mac, and Doug was quoted as saying he wanted to talk to Jacques. Take from that what you will....Submitted by Dave from Sunrise,Fla
Q: Hey George, Just wanted to say Thank you for all your support and insight this past season. Also, now that JM is out GM, who do you believe would be the right guy for the Coaching position? Also, Cohen said he doesn't think bringing in guys from FA solves anything, do you think this team is merely 2 players from FA away from a true playoff team?or is guys from the inside the answer?
Answered 04/16/08 12:38:54 by George Richards
A: I don't know who has these answers. I have said Randy Cunneyworth looks like a great coaching candidate, so I probably messed that up for him. Sorry, Randy.Submitted by Scott from Plantation,Florida
Q: Well, it looks like more of the same for this franchise. No stability at all. Now that Jaques is out as coach, and who knows if he's in as GM next year, Joe N. has decided not to return. NEVER a good sign when someone of Joe's character decides this is not the place for him. I'm so disillusioned with this team. How can we have fallen so far from the proud, hard working, quality franchise we had in 96 to the miserable mess that it is now? As I'm sure all Panther fans are asking, is there any hope? Anything that we can say is a light at the end of this seemingly bottemless pit of ineptitude? (sorry for the big words) haha
Answered 04/15/08 11:40:24 by George Richards
A: Big words are ok....Submitted by Steve from Coconut Creek
Q: George, Even though from what I hear you are not as good as a dresser as David Neil or David Booth, I thank you for all of your opinions on here and on your blog, by far you are the best of the 3 local beat writers in my mind...... Now for the question, what do you think is the decision date for JM as GM? The draft needs to be prepared for, so is there a drop dead date if he stays or goes as GM?
Answered 04/14/08 21:32:48 by George Richards
A: I am too as good a dresser as David Booth (Neal is out of my league)....Submitted by Pete from Lebanon, PA
Q: Thanks for all of your work this year George, not just w/ the forum, but w/ your insightful articles as well. I can tell you are truly passionate about the Cats & hockey overall. I'm curious, do you think JM does both jobs well enough alone or would it help to bring in someone to help w/ the workload? And do you think JM is better as GM or behind the bench? Whatever happens, I hope we develop the young guys in our system rather than trading them for washups like during the late 90's.
Answered 04/14/08 10:46:04 by George Richards
A: Thanks Pete..we have to see whether JM takes the GM job here. And I think the team is going a little younger, what with the prospects coming up through the system...Submitted by Scott & Maryann from Dania Beach, FL
Q: We read Bob McKenzie's blog that Joe Nieuwendyk has resigned. Please let us know if this is true. Hope to see you around in the offseason.
Answered 04/14/08 10:45:07 by George Richards
A: Yes, Joe has left the building...Submitted by jh from weston
Q: George as u know I am very excited that we have fired the coach or the gm. However it is clear to both of us that JM has no interest being the GM just looking at your last blog; moreover if he greedily stays simply for $$$ he will hire a coach similiar to him defense and conservative and bound for11th place. Shouldn't Alan, who I know means well, cut the chord?
Answered 04/14/08 10:44:49 by George Richards
A: Listen, those entries I've written are my own opinions. I haven't spoken to Jacques so I don't know what his feelings/attitudes are. They are pure speculation on my part and general musings from me.Submitted by Ben from Toronto, Ontario
Q: George, do we really want a guy as our General Manager that is likely looking to bolt first coaching opportunity he gets? It's painful, but I think we have to cut the cord completely.
Answered 04/14/08 10:43:31 by George Richards
A: Depends what Jacques' attitude is. Don't know that he's going to bolt, I just think he would rather be coaching. Perhaps he's at a time in his life where being in management makes a little more sense...Submitted by Shawn from Tamarac,FL
Q: George, In regards to Belak signing. I will paraphrase Cohen last Thursday when asked about Belak. "Our guys played like they were a few inches taller when we got Wade. This team will never be without an enforcer again" I like Wade, a stand up guy.
Answered 04/14/08 10:42:25 by George Richards
A: and there you go...Submitted by Steve from Coconut Creek
Q: George, What Free Agents do you think the Panthers will bring back, and which guys under contract will they buy out or trade? How many spots do you think will be open come Training Camp?
Answered 04/08/08 15:52:14 by George Richards
A: I don't see too many slots open at camp right now, altough I would think some of the young guys coming (Matthias, Repik, et al) will get a look. The Panthers don't want to rush those guys though. As far as UFAs go, not sure what direction Panthers want to go in. Sure Montador will be offered, one of the other D-men (Johansson/Cullimore) too. Not sure about Belak although he brings a good, tough dimension to this squad...Submitted by cathy from lighthousepoint
Q: whatisthestausonstevemontaodorwilltheyagreedbyjuly1recontract
Answered 04/08/08 10:54:44 by George Richards
A: cathy, spacebar, please....Submitted by Stephen from Sunrise,fl
Q: Well George i for one wanna say thanks for all the work you put into giving us updates and answering all the questions we have asked. It's nice that @ least one journalist around here cares about the panthers. Cheers to next year this years over time to quit crying and move on. Carpe Diem next season is a new season and hopefully there will be some changes in house that will help this team build and grow and become the force that we have been waiting for for a long time. Thanks again man see ya next season. Cheers to all you TRUE panther fans
Answered 04/07/08 16:52:19 by George Richards
A: Thanks for the note...will be here all summer too...Submitted by Howard Levy from Plantation FL
Q: Now that the season is over, I would like to read your opinion regarding each players performance during this past miserable season... sort of like a report card on everyone. I would also like to read an interview with the team owner regarding his perception about how this horrible team fits into his future plans. I also would like a bit of investigative journalism about the owners plans to control and develop the land surrounding the Big Bank Center to make more profits.Thanks in advance, Howard Levy
Answered 04/07/08 14:50:26 by George Richards
A: You know what? Sometime this week I will do a report card on each player and put it online. Have a bunch of stuff to do first, but will get to it. Also need to get the final stats on the kids in the system. Haven't forgotten about that either. We have plenty of time to do this stuff... As far as the arena goes, you're right, there's a lot of money to be made there. If they do what they want to -- and turn the arena into an entertainment complex -- it should be sweet. But I question whether this area really needs more of that, what with Hard Rock 10 minutes away and the Oasis across the street.
