Shape up or be dealt

GM Jacques martin isn't happy with the performance of the team. From the Sun-Sentinel-

In light of the Panthers' 4-6-1 start, a disappointed General Manager Jacques Martin said Tuesday that he expects more from the veterans and is considering trading some players.

"When I look at our performance so far, I don't think it's good enough," Martin said. "We made some moves in the offseason, and some of our veterans have to give us a better performance."

Ville Peltonen, Brett McLean and Jay Bouwmeester don't have any goals; Radek Dvorak, Richard Zednik and Stephen Weiss, who has missed four games with a strained groin, have just one apiece.

"I've got to get more shots and get to the net and battle for loose pucks there," Peltonen said. "A lot of us guys need to give more. It's just [a matter of] staying determined."

Martin said the lack of scoring — 25 goals through 11 games — isn't most troubling.

"We've probably given up too many," he said of the 35 goals allowed. "That's the biggest concern. We look at our goals agaist and it's not just one group, it's six guys on the ice doing their job."

Florida started 4-3 but has gone 0-3-1 since. With three west coast games still to come, I don't know when the Panthers will finally hit bottom.

I'm disppointed with the Panthers, but Martin shoiuld look in the mirror for the cause. The team has too many vets(McLean, Dvorak, Zednik) past their prime and or playing out the string. Olli Jokinen the team's leading scorer was traded away. Did Florida do anything to replace Jokinen? Bring in vet Cory Stillman, who played well but is now out with a concussion. The players acquired for Jokinen, two defensemen, have played well but Florida is giving up shots because the Panthers are weak and hurting at defenseman.

Florida hasn't played well, but the team's management is no better.