Panthers Falling Behind in Rat Race

The Florida Panthers were the darlings of the NHL in the spring of 1996, when they clawed their way to the Stanley Cup finals with superb goaltending, gritty defense and timely goals from their few scorers. Plastic rats, which became their mascots when Scott Mellanby killed a real rodent in the locker room and the team began a winning streak, outsold sunscreen and beach towels as South Florida adopted the team as its own.

Less than 18 months later, the Panthers are a shadow of the spirited, relentless team that upset Boston, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh before losing to Colorado in the finals.

Once dominant at home, they already have lost 13 games at Miami Arena, more than any season since their first. Doug MacLean, the gregarious coach whose magic wand produced the right line combinations and defensive strategy, was fired earlier this season. He was a victim of bad decisions, draft picks that haven’t panned out and the toll exacted by the Panthers’ physical style.

“It’s been very traumatic,” goaltender John Vanbiesbrouck said. “Here we sit in December, battling for a playoff position. We’ve got to put something together to earn other teams’ respect.”

Where it went sour is difficult to pinpoint. One possible turning point was the trade last season of popular, hard-working forward Stu Barnes to Pittsburgh for center Chris Wells, who has progressed slowly. Losing team captain Brian Skrudland to free agency also hurt, although they compensated by signing free agent Dave Gagner.

However, Gagner can’t make up for Mellanby’s decline from 32 goals in 1995-96 to 27 last season to six nearly halfway through this season. Or for the struggles of Kirk Muller, who had only two goals before getting hurt again, or Ray Sheppard, who has gone from 29 goals last season to nine. And there’s no explanation for the regression of Ed Jovanovski, whose fine rookie season inspired thoughts of future Norris trophies.

“It’s quite a way back to the top,” said Bryan Murray, who will finish the season in the dual role of general manager and coach. “Other teams caught up with us. When you have an experienced team built with veterans there comes a time when you have to make changes. . . . [Coaching] wasn’t my plan. I had a great career and it was a lot of fun. I hoped when Doug came in, I’d be in a situation where I could work toward growing the organization.”

Club President Bill Torrey said the coaching change has paid off in more discipline and crisper play from his team, which plays three of its next four games at home, including Sunday against the Mighty Ducks.

“We felt there were things we weren’t doing and had gotten away from, and [Murray] was the best qualified coach to get us better,” Torrey said. “Obviously the jury is out and will be until the end of the year.”

STILL GOING STRONG

Mike Gartner is having a memorable season--and not all those memories are pleasant.

Always a streaky scorer, the Phoenix Coyotes’ veteran right wing started slowly and was struggling when he tore a knee ligament Nov. 2. While he was on injured reserve, the Coyotes put him on waivers to open a roster spot, a low-risk gamble given his age (38) and salary ($1.1 million). No one claimed him and he returned Dec. 6; eight days later he scored his 700th goal, the fifth NHL player to reach that level.

“No one likes to get injured and no one likes to be put on waivers after 19 years,” said Gartner, whose 704 goals rank behind Wayne Gretzky’s 872, Gordie Howe’s 801, Marcel Dionne’s 731 and Phil Esposito’s 717. “But it does no good to hold a grudge or have bitter feelings toward anyone because that will only affect yourself and your hockey.”

Gartner returned with renewed vigor, scoring six goals in 10 games. “We’ve been real happy with him. He’s playing extremely well off the puck too,” Coach Jim Schoenfeld said. “It wasn’t like we were looking to get rid of him. The waiver thing was a calculated risk.”

The big knock on Gartner has been his lack of success in the playoffs. However, he wouldn’t trade his 700 goals for a chance to get his name on the Stanley Cup, because he believes he can have both.

“You have to take the hand that’s dealt you,” he said. “I’ve been a part of championship teams in the Canada Cup twice and I know the feeling of being part of the best team in the world. I’d love to have that feeling again with the Stanley Cup.”

THE NAME IS FAMILIAR

Hayley Wickenheiser shares a surname with her third cousin, Doug, who was drafted first overall by Montreal in 1980. He never lived up to his billing, but Hayley has put the family name back in the headlines.

Hayley, 19, is a center on the Canadian women’s Olympic team and may be the best female player in the world. She and Doug are too far apart in age to have known each other well, but they have become closer since he was found to have a rare form of cancer. He has been undergoing chemotherapy, and the tumor that was pressing against his windpipe appears to have stopped growing.

“I talked to his wife a few weeks ago and she said he’s really positive,” Hayley said. “It’s tough for him. When I was young, I remember meeting him and chatting. It was a big thing.”

Hayley patterned herself after Gretzky and Mark Messier to produce a blend she describes as “a little bit of finesse with a little bit of power.” She’s clever and skillful with the puck, quick and deft on her skates and tough to move in front of the net at 5-foot-9 and 170 pounds.

The Canadian women’s and men’s teams could conceivably pull off a double-gold medal triumph at Nagano--and each could meet the U.S in the finals. “If they can do it,” she said of her male compatriots. “We’re definitely not taking any opponent too lightly.”

Doug Wickenheiser, incidentally, hasn’t been forgotten by friends and former teammates. The St. Louis Blues are wearing decals of a candle with his number 14 on their helmets, Doug Gilmour put a candle emblem on his sticks and former Blues Coach Jacques Demers has been wearing a button with the emblem.

SLAP SHOTS

The NHL’s new computerized game reports are terrific, listing key statistics such as faceoff wins, hits and players’ ice time. However, the statistics are only as good as the people who compile them because categories--such as hits given, takeaways and giveaways--are subjective. The statistic crews aren’t equally competent, weakening the credibility of some items in the reports. . . . Kudos to Montreal winger Mark Recchi, who extended his 500-game ironman streak despite a painful elbow injury incurred last week. Remember that the next time some pitcher breaks a fingernail and can’t start.

Tampa Bay center Brian Bradley, whose injuries were doubted by his teammates, was recently found to have a bruise on his brain. It is expected to heal, but no date has been set for his return. . . . Lightning Chief Executive Steve Oto vetoed some minor trades General Manager Phil Esposito wanted to make and told Espo to go after bigger fish. Problem is, to get anything good you’ve got to give up something of value, and the Lightning can’t spare much. Defenseman Roman Hamrlik, the first overall draft pick in 1992, is likely to be moved to Edmonton in a deal involving Steve Kelly and Jason Bonsignore.

Canada’s junior national team saw its 27-game winning streak at the world championships end last week with a loss to Finland in a first-round game. . . . If the New York Rangers make their much-rumored trade of Alexei Kovalev for Carolina left wing Geoff Sanderson, they will be guilty of theft. Sanderson, twice a 40-goal scorer, has only seven this season but that’s because Carolina traded his longtime center, Andrew Cassels, to Calgary. Sanderson is a proven scorer; Kovalev is a defensive liability and the Rangers can no longer wait for his promise to become productive. The Rangers really want Edmonton’s Jason Arnott, but the Oilers don’t want to move him. . . . Ranger Coach Colin Campbell got a vote of confidence from Madison Square Garden President Dave Checketts. GM Neil Smith isn’t in trouble, but that could change if the Rangers don’t improve quickly and dramatically--and that’s unlikely.