Lyle Richardson reports via the hockey news that the Florida Panthers are thinking about keeping Jay Bouwmeester for their run at a play-off berth.
That seems to make sense I guess. Bouwmeester is a key component to the club and the Panthers are within striking distance of the post season for the first time since Y2K. Im sure the fanbase could use some good news and the org could use the income.
Problem being, it's probably the wrong move.
We know that Bouwmeester is fleeing for greener pastures come July. That has been as obvious as the ugly on Amy Winehouse since he signed his one-year extension as a RFA this past summer. Keeping Jay-Bo past the deadline = nothing in return = poor asset management.
On the other hand, a player with his abilities and pedigree could land Florida an extremely attractive package of players and draft picks if prior trade deadline rentals are anything go by. Especially attractive if "zilch" is the alternative.
And let's be clear on this: Florida needs an infusion of talent and futures pretty badly. Play-off aspirations or not, they are still a lousy hockey team. Their top scoring forward might end up with 60 points by the end of the year. Nathan Horton is a total bust as a Jokinen fill-in (and I don't consider those big shoes to fill). And, as you can see by the link, they have been grossly out-played over the course of the year at ES. The lone factor holding the Panthers in the race is that unsustainable .933 ES SV%. Should that uncanny number continue for the rest of the season and squeeze the cats into the play-offs, I have no doubt they'd be swept aside in short order by whoever they'd end up facing in the first round. And I DO doubt that SV% sticks around to make them look like a moderately okay-club next season.
No, if Martin is at all interested in making his team a winner in the long-run, then he'll press for the best package possible for Jay-Bo come March. The kid is having himself a good year, so the offers should be generous. If you want to see what selling the future short for a brief play-off appearance looks like, on the other hand, take a gander at the beleaguered Don Waddell and his pitiable creation up in Atlanta.
