Friday, November 18, 2011

The Goalie Guild's Insight on Florida Panthers Goldtending

The Rat Trick Radio had Justin Goldman from The Goalie Guild as a guest on their radio podcast on November 17, 2011. He discussed the Panthers goalies. He first discussed Markstrom, then José. At the beginning of the podcast, it's general Panthers talk, then it moves into Justin and the goalies talk.

Insight on Florida Panthers Goaltending

He had some pretty nice things to say about José and his wonderful attitude, being a great teammate, and being so mentally tough.

My Photos from 11/17/11

Here are a few of the photos I took in St. Louis. Not very good quality, but with a cheapo camera, this is the best I can do.














Day After Seeing José Play in St. Louis

So you've probably seen the score from last night's game against the Blues. The Panthers lost 4-1 (the 4th was an empty netter.) But I can honestly say I'm not disappointed with the night, thanks to José. Sure I'm disappointed for him and the rest of the guys, but he made my night so wonderful, that I just can't be disappointed. Here's what happened:

I was standing at the glass, with my pathetic little sign that said “We adore Theodore #60.” I must say it got a few smiles from the guys. I know Flash, Weiss, and Jovo all saw it, and a few others, I think. So that was cool. It’s hard to tell if José saw it since he had his mask on. But he knew I was there supporting him, so that’s all that matters.

I was standing there, being a derp. It was about 5 minutes into warmups, and a security guard came up behind me and said “Will you come with me?” I was caught off guard. I thought “Crap, am I in trouble for having a sign? They ok’ed it when I walked in.” So he directed me over to the Panthers’ bench area. There was another security guard there holding a stick!! No lie!! He handed it to me and said “He wanted you to have this.”

DEAD ON FLOOR!!! I was speechless. I could see that it was signed by José and I was just dead. The guy pointed to the other security guard and said “He’ll take you to Guest Services and they’ll hold the stick for you during the game.” So I totally derped and said “Tell him thanks!” Like the security guard is going to tell him thanks? What a herp-a-derp I am, but I didn’t know what else to say.

So Security Guard #1 took me to Guest Services, and they held it for me during the game. I got a lot of admiring looks when I had it in my hands. :o) I went back to my seat and told my brother what happened, and he was like NO WAY!! I was like YES WAY!!! He was quite impressed that José would do that, and I was like “See, I told you he’s the most awesome guy in the NHL!”

Anyway, so I held my sign for a good part of the game. My friend texted me that she saw me on TV, so I was like cool. I could see us on the scoreboard now and then too. My brother’s Illini jacket was orange and blue, so it showed up like my white sign did. You probably couldn’t even see what my sign said, but that’s ok. I knew what it said, and people around me saw. And I wore my Theo jersey SO PROUDLY!! He had some awesome saves. It was so fun seeing him play.

So, I took some pictures. They suck, because my camera is pathetic. But I’ll post some in a bit. I DVR'ed the game, and I'll rewatch today. It’s so hard for me to follow a game in person. So I don’t really even know how the guys played. I’m just not good at watching a game in person, because I tend to watch José too much. ;o)

Oh, and as I was walking out of the arena holding my stick, you would not believe how many admiring looks I got. People were so jealous, and they didn’t even know the story behind it. I could hear “Oh, she has a stick.” My brother was surprised at how many people commented on it. I’m like “Hockey fans know the power of the stick.”

Just wanted to share what an awesome guy José is. I know you all knew that already, but this just reinforces it. Spread the word!! José Theodore is the nicest NHL'er to his fans. No lie!

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Gameday, Panthers @ Blues, 7:00 CST (José in nets)

It looks like José will be starting tonight against the Blues. I won't be updating during the game, because I will actually be AT the game. My brother and I are headed down to St. Louis to see the game in person. I'm pretty excited!!

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

José the Topic of a Bleacher Report article

November 15, 2011 by Stefan Kubus

NHL Trade Rumors: Possible Landing Spots for Jose Theodore

Let me just start out by saying that José has a no-trade clause in his contract. I don't see him waiving that to be traded. He loves Florida, he's said it numerous times. He wants to retire there. He even said the other day that the warm weather there is one of his favorite things, because it's easier on his joints, and the older he gets the better that is.

So the only reason I'm blogging this is because they say nice things about him. But I don't think he would even consider a trade.

"Jose Theodore is proving he still has a lot to offer at the age of 35, and possesses a lot of experience that could help a team in search of a netminder.

While young Jacob Markström waits in the wings as the Florida Panthers' future No. 1 goalie, the former Hart Trophy winner has already provided a lot of optimism to the future star. Even though his own career has fallen a bit since that MVP season in 2002, that doesn't prevent Theodore from being a positive force in the dressing room.

Here are six teams who could turn to Theodore to fill a vacancy between the pipes.

Winnipeg Jets
With the Winnipeg Jets struggling to find a rhythm in their inaugural NHL season, it's undeniable that Ondrej Pavelec is the No. 1 guy there right now despite the fact neither he nor backup Chris Mason have dazzled between the pipes this season. Neither netminder has a save percentage over .900.

Being the fourth youngest team in the league the Jets could use a legitimate veteran like Theodore—who is 6-3-2 with a .921 save percentage along with a shutout—to help provide some stability not only on the ice, but also in the locker room.


Detroit Red Wings
Remember when the Red Wings had this guy, Chris Osgood? The likely future Hall of Famer was one of many crucial veteran presences in the Detroit locker room that helped comprise a championship-caliber team for decades.

Now with Ty Conklin to back up Jimmy Howard in the D, there isn't as much confidence every night in net as there used to be. Conklin has only played three games thus far, going 1-2, with below par numbers.

Since the Islanders claimed Evgeni Nabokov off of waivers last year, it ruined the Red Wings' chance at a legitimate backup goaltender for Howard. Trading for a backup now would still be a magnificent move, especially if Conklin continues to play poorly.

As seen in Florida right now, Theodore could work wonders for Jimmy Howard's game, and also for the Red Wings as a whole.


New Jersey Devils
Future Hall of Famer Martin Brodeur has been struggling in recent years, largely due to injury and will turn 40-years-old at the end of the season.

With no immediate heir to replace Brodeur, the Devils are left with Johan Hedberg in net, who is surely not a No. 1 goaltender.

Perhaps the struggling Devils could use another veteran voice in the locker room to help share some of the load this season, and provide Brodeur an extra night off from time to time.


Columbus Blue Jackets
It will take much more than a goaltender acquisition to fix the disaster that is the Columbus Blue Jackets.

However, Jose Theodore would be a step in the right direction. With no legitimately solid backup for Steve Mason (who hasn't played well in his own right), the Blue Jackets could use a veteran presence to help the leadership core in Columbus, and to also mentor the young Mason as he tries to get his game back on track.


Toronto Maple Leafs
Starting goaltender James Reimer is out with a concussion; Jonas Gustavsson has been inconsistent; and rookie Ben Scrivens has not yet shown he belongs in the NHL. The Toronto Maple Leafs could clearly use another hand on deck.

It appears they're looking, too.

With a veteran presence like Jose Theodore in Toronto, it would not only add a great personality to the locker room, but also provide some relief for Reimer.


How About the Florida Panthers?
With the way Jose Theodore has impacted this newly-revamped Florida Panthers team, both on and off the ice, it's easy to make a strong case for him to stay put.

And why shouldn't he? The former all-star goaltender has been reminiscent of his 2002 self, registering a .921 save percentage, a 6-3-2 record, a 2.45 goals-against average, and a shutout. The save percentage obviously tells a lot more than the goals-against average does there.

For having such a positive influence on young Jacob Markstrom, along with the entire Panthers team in the dressing room, it may be a mistake to move Theodore now.

It has been rumored lately that Panthers backup Scott Clemmensen, who is coming off an injury, will be the one on the move. Perhaps the aforementioned Toronto Maple Leafs will inquire about his services, as suggested on SunSentinel.com.

Gameday, Panthers @ Stars, W, 6-0 (Clemmensen in Net)

Scott Clemmensen is getting his first regular season start for the Panthers this evening.

The Panthers will then travel to St. Louis for the Thursday game. And guess what, I'm going to be at that game!! 2 rows from the ice!! So excited!!

So Clemmensen got a shutout in his first start of the regular season. Things started out slow, with not many shots on goal in the first 2 periods by the Stars, but he did end up with 25 saves. And a shutout is a shuout, so good for him. Both José and he got shutouts in their first starts of the season. That's a good tandem!

Monday, November 14, 2011

Photos from November 12, 2011 Practice

These were posted on the Panthers' website:

Before practice José chattin' it up with Matt Bradley, Jack Skille, and I don't know who has his back to the camera. Kris Versteeg is off to the side with the equipment managers.

And then a full-body shot of him signing autographs.

Feel free to head over to my tumblr page, because there are a few more photos from the autograph signing. They were posted by other fans on tumblr, so I could reblog them there, but I don't feel right posting them here.

http://fuckyeahjosetheodore.tumblr.com