Hello all. I know it has been a long time since a post, but blog writers are allowed to go on "vacation" too. I think.
Anyway-- the Bruins have brought the Cup back to Boston, Luongo may be a marked man, and the 2010-2011 season is over. And speaking for myself, and possibly all of Panther Nation, I can not be happier.
Why am I so happy? The Basement Dwelling Panthers died with the end of the regular season. Tallon wiped much of the slate clean this trade deadline, and with a top 3 draft pick, the Panthers are guaranteed to grab a franchise player (either Larsson, Landeskog or Nugent-Hopkins).
But it is not only the giddiness over the Entry Draft and its wealth of Panthers' selections it holds, but also the news that the climax of the "Seeing Red" Campaign is next Friday also. When Tallon selects the 3rd overall pick (Landeskog, please), the prospect will be presented with the brand spanking new Florida Panther jersey.
Promo Video at bottom of article
One can assume that it will be primary red in color, but all other bets are off. One thing is for sure, it won't look like anything that the Litterbox Cats "speculated" it would. And of course, that is a good thing.
The red symbolizes a turn back to the roots of the team. With all the changes, internally and externally, it is good to remind the fan base of the days of old, when the rink was packed, rats were on the ice, and Scott Mellanby almost lifted the Cup.
From a marketing standpoint, prospective hockey fans, and Panthers fans, are more likely to identify and want to root for a team that has a history and identifies with that history. It is the same reason teams like the Red Wings, Bruins, Flyers, etc. have such a wide fan base. Sure, they are big market cities, but fans from other locations worldwide choose these teams because of their stories, their brand identity.
I said it a few times over the last two years, that the Florida Panthers seemed to be a team lacking identity. Many more people said this before me and after me. The Panthers need to succeed in creating this grass roots movement if they want to stay in Sunrise.
My opinion--this will thrive. The Florida fans have showed in the past they can support a hockey team when they make the right moves, on ice and off. Now with new management, a new coach, a new marketing strategy and soon to be a new franchise face the Panthers may finally have the ability to draw hordes of fans.
It won't be overnight, look to Nashville. But this will be the start, square one, of Florida's love affair with the Panthers.
What do you think? Will the new marketing campaign draw more fans? Will the new jersey be an upgrade over the old?
Here is a promo of the campaign:
(All rights reserved by the Florida Panthers and the NHL)
I'm glad I found this post. Really excited about the draft & new sweaters (the Pitt blue rip-off was a travesty) pick Gabriel Landeskog who's ready day 1... Bring up Gudbranson , heck while we're at it somehow sign Brad Richards & KABOOM...ok, getting a little ahead of myself there. Florida has so many possibilities with 7 early(ish) picks and all that cap flexability... The future is bright.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading! I agree, this year will be the turning point. Although Brad Richards will probably end up in New York, Florida will definitely be looking to spend cap on game changers. I wouldn't be surprised if they flip two of their 3rd round picks for a prospect or a better pick. I also can see them making a few offer sheets to RFA's and getting aggressive that way.
ReplyDeleteBottom line is- Friday is a huge day!