Panthers’ new GM explains moves that led resurgence
During the past 26 years, only two top executives have taken over South Florida teams and orchestrated an immediate transformation, and both are Hall of Famers: the Dolphins’ Bill Parcells and the Heat’s Pat Riley.
New Florida Panthers general manager Bill Zito is on track to join that elite company. Zito has hit on virtually every personnel decision, and that’s a big reason the Panthers have risen from a 36-28-5 underachiever that was quickly dispatched in the playoff qualifying round last summer to 12-3-2 this season.
“I’m thrilled,” Zito said by phone of the Panthers’ best 17game start since 1996-97. “Really excited because of the way the team has come together and the way the coaching staff has guided the players to success. I see 16
[Aleksander Barkov] and 11
[Jonathan Huberdeau]; life is easy when you roll those two guys out.”
It also has been a fulfilling first six months as GM for Zito, the 56-year-old Yale-educated dynamo who has a law degree from Wisconsin, worked as an attorney in New York and Chicago, founded and ran a big-time hockwho ey agency and worked for the Columbus Blue Jackets since 2013, including GM of their Cleveland AHL affiliate, before the Panthers gave him his first NHL GM job on Sept. 2, replacing Dale Tallon.
Zito offered background on his acquisition of five key pickups:
Forward Carter Verhaeghe:
The second-year forward has been a revelation, with seven goals and six assists in 13 games, and doing it on a bargain contract (two years, $2 million). Before this season, he had played in only 52 NHL games, with nine goals and four assists for Tampa. But Verhaeghe, 25, was a big scorer in the AHL at Syracuse.
This past fall, he “was a topic of discussion in our scouting meetings,” Zito said. “Everyone kept coming back to: ‘I remember from Syracuse and he did this or I remember that.’ Eight to 10 collective moments from some relatively savvy scouts ... and you build your argument [to sign a player] that way. I’m pleased with the job he’s done.”
Winger Patric Hornqvist,
who was acquired from Pittsburgh for Mike Matheson and Colton Scevior:
Hornqvist, 34, won two Stanley Cups in six years with the Penguins, but his role was going to be reduced. He waived his notrade clause because he felt the Panthers wanted him and the Penguins didn’t.
Though Zito declined to say which team initiated the talks, the Panthers seized on the opportunity, adding a respected, skilled veteran (246 career goals) has three years left on his contract at $5.3 million per.
Even beyond the on-ice contributions (eight goals, seven assists in 17 games), his leadership has made a difference.
Zito recalls a day early in the season when players had finished their post-practice work “and all of sudden, he starts yelling at everyone: ‘Get down here! We haven’t done our power play work! ... I can’t tell you how many phone calls I got from people saying, ‘Please tell him I said hi.’ That speaks volumes about his leadership and character. He makes others better.”
Winger Anthony Duclair: Zito had been spent time around him in Columbus in 2018-19, when Duclair had 11 goals and eight assists in 53 games. What struck Zito about that one season was Duclair’s “speed. It’s remarkable. You see goal-scoring ability. It’s a good fit for him.”
Duclair, who signed a oneyear, $1.7 million deal on Dec.
19, has two goals and eight assists in 16 games.
Forward Alexander Wennberg: Of the significant acquisitions, two players — Wennberg and defenseman Markus Nutivaara — came directly from Columbus.
A first-round pick of the Blue Jackets in 2013, Wennberg had a decent career in Columbus, with 40 goals and 161 assists in 415 games, including five and 17 in 57 games last season, but was bought out by the Blue Jackets after last season.
Zito quickly pounced. “We think there’s upside there,” Zito said. “He has tremendous skill.” Wennberg, who signed a oneyear, $2.25 million contract, has five goals and four assists in 17 games.
Defenseman Radko Gudas: The Panthers’ defense needed augmenting, and Gudas became an early priority in free agency because “his level of competitiveness is off the charts,” Zito said. “He plays a physical game and is a smart, smart hockey player. He’s not backing down from conflict or puck battles.
And when he gets the puck he can make a play.”
Gudas, who signed a threeyear, $7.5 million deal, has 90 hits, 20 blocks, a plus-7 plus/ minus and two assists in 17 games.
Aside from Matheson, Zito didn’t trade a significant piece but parted ways with proven scorers Mike Hoffman (who has six goals and eight assists for St. Louis) and Evgenii Dadonov (two goals, six assists for Ottawa).
“It wasn’t that we didn’t want them,” Zito said of the two, citing finances. Dadonov got three years and $15 million with Ottawa, Hoffman one year and $4 million with St. Louis.
The Panthers are getting similar production from Verhaege and Duclair at less money. And this team has meshed far better than past Panthers teams.
Zito made a point to credit Tallon, who drafted key nucleus pieces Barkov and Huberdeau during his 10 seasons here. “You have to give credit to Dale; he did a pretty good job,” Zito said. “I owe him a call.”
CHATTER
Because the Marlins and Sinclair-owned Fox Sports Florida haven’t agreed on a new TV contract, the network said it has no plans to televise Marlins spring training games, unlike past years. All parties expect a deal in place by Opening Day.
Asked whether he expects the new TV deal will more than double the team’s MLB-low $20 million annual rights fee, owner Bruce Sherman said: “I wouldn’t be satisfied at that level. We’re excited to be competitive with the other teams.”
The Heat was awarded a $4.7 million disabled player’s exception as a result of Meyers Leonard’s season-ending shoulder surgery, but it cannot be combined with the Heat’s $7.5 million trade exception or Miami’s $3.6 million biannual exception to acquire a player earning $16 million. The Heat is expected to inquire about DeMarcus Cousins, but he might find better opportunity elsewhere.
Unlike past years, the Dolphins can better conceal interest in draft prospects. Instead of the often-telling 30 maximum permitted pre-draft visits with prospects at team headquarters (barred because of COVID-19), teams can interview as many prospects as they want on Zoom.
Jim Larrañaga said he was told any ACC player can transfer to another ACC school and be eligible immediately, which leaves the Canes at risk.
JUPITER
Miguel Rojas’ days were already long and the nights short before he reported to the Roger
Dean Chevrolet Stadium complex for spring training.
A growing family does that.
Rojas, who turns 32 on Wednesday, and wife
Mariana last month celebrated the birth of their second child — daughter
Amber Lucia Rojas.
Amber is the latest addition to the Rojas clan in addition to 5-year-old son
Aaron, a dog and a cat.
“It’s a blast, but there’s a lot of work,” Rojas said Tuesday after the Marlins’ first full-squad workout. “So happy and proud of my wife that I have. She’s been taking care of the baby so I can sleep and be prepared for spring training. Now, I feel kind of sad that I have to leave Miami to come here . ... That’s a big motivation for me.”
The Marlins’ performance overall and Rojas’ production individually in 2020 are pretty motivating, too. Miami reached the playoffs last season for the first time since 2003, advancing to the National League Division Series before being swept by the Atlanta Braves in the bestof-5 series at Houston’s Minute Maid Park.
Rojas, who missed about three weeks of the shortened season after testing positive for COVID-19, put up one of the best seasons of his career. He posted a .304 batting average with 10 doubles, four home runs, 20 RBI and 20 runs scored in 125 at-bats while continuing to play Gold Glove-caliber defense at shortstop.
It was the latest breakthrough for the Marlins’ de facto captain, the elder statesman of a youthladen club.
“I’m getting older,” Rojas said, “but at the same time I feel like I’m getting better.”
Marlins manager Don Mattingly, whose time with Rojas dates to Rojas’ first MLB season in 2014 with the Los Angeles Dodgers, said he is no longer surprised by Rojas’ continued progress.
“I am going to quit setting the bar on Miggy,” Mattingly said, “because every time you set the bar, every time you think that’s as good as he can possibly get, he gets better.”
SPACING OUT
Because of increased COVID-19-related health and safety protocols, the Marlins have had to take some additional — although in a grand scheme minor — alterations to their spring training setup.
Players were separated into groups and were staggered in about 15-to-20minute waves. They followed a general rotation of cage work, conditioning, field work and batting practice.
They are using both the main spring training locker room as well as the minor-league locker rooms with solo replaceable lockers scattered through the middle of the room. Younger players are primarily occupying the minor-league locker rooms, with pitchers in the back and position players in the front.
The kitchen in the main locker room is now being used for grab-and-go snacks, while the minorleague kitchen is used as a meal-distribution window.
The main weight room and the workout tent outside the main clubhouse are still being used but are limited to a maximum of 12 people at a time and only during scheduled times.
Two additional large, white tents are set up on along the complex behind Field 2, the field closest to the clubhouses.
“We’re using every inch,” Mattingly said.
MISSING PLAYERS
Marlins general manager Kim Ng said Tuesday that outfielder Jerar Encarnacion did not report to camp on time while dealing with visa issues. He is expected to report on Wednesday to begin his COVID-19 intake testing. Saturday would be the earliest he could work out with the team.
The only other player absences are the three from the first wave of players when pitchers and catchers reported who are dealing with COVID-19 intake issues.
Relief pitcher Jeff Brigham, on the 60-day injured list, is also not at camp.
It’s only the first major meet of the track and field season.
But the Louie Bing Memorial Classic often provides a glimpse of which are the top teams and athletes who will have a chance to contend for state championships.
St. Thomas Aquinas won the boys’ and girls’ team races convincingly this past weekend at Traz Powell Stadium, and showed off the kind of depth that should make them top contenders in Class 4A.
The Raiders girls, who won back-to-back titles before the COVID-19 pandemic cut short the 2020 season, finished ahead of Miami-Dade County powers Southridge and Northwestern, which is currently on an 11-year state title streak in Class 3A.
Aquinas’ boys, who have not won a team state title since 2014, beat reigning two-time Class 4A champion Columbus and reigning three-time Class 3A champion Northwestern.
Junior Claude Campbell highlighted the Aquinas boys’ efforts by winning the long jump with a mark of 23-feet, 4 3⁄4-inches.
Senior Eddiyah Frye, a University of North Carolina commit, will be among the leaders of the Raiders’ girls’ squad and one of their most versatile athletes. Frye set a meet record in the 100-meter hurdles at the Louie Bing (13.14 seconds) and finished runner-up in the 300 hurdles to North Miami’s Amanda Kinloch. Frye also won the long jump with a mark of 19-feet, 6 1⁄4-inches.
Senior Alexis Glasco leads the Raiders’ group of sprinters and also set a meet record winning the 100-meter dash in 11.68 seconds. Aquinas swept the 800 and 1,600 meter relays on the boys’ and girls’ sides.
The Raiders also have a talented group of freshmen girls, who won titles at the Louie Bing. Ashlyn Hubbard won the pole vault (8-6), Lauren Thomas won the discus (124-8) and Alayna Herring won in the javelin throw (88-7).
OTHER NOTABLES
The depth of talent in Broward County is widespread.
Flanagan junior Jassani Carter is a top sprinter. Carter won the 200 meters in 23.53 seconds.
American Heritage senior Jada Joseph, a Brown University signee, won the triple jump in 39-10 3⁄4 and was the runner-up in the long jump.
Pembroke Pines Charter senior Ahmari Alvin is one of the best discus throwers as he showed this weekend, winning that event with a mark of 151 feet.
Alvin will be joined by junior Kyvon Tatham, who has quite the lineage in Broward County
track. Tatham’s brothers Rasheed and Jeremy Tatham both had stellar high school careers with Jeremy going on to star at Abilene Christian University.
Tatham’s mother, Mazel, was the only women’s NCAA Division I national champion at Abilene Christian winning the high jump title in 1987 (6-2 1⁄4).
Chaminade-Madonna senior Torrie Cox, a cornerback on the football team who signed with Ohio University, will spearhead a Lions track team hoping to make
noise in Class 2A. Cox started the season strong, winning the 400 meters in 47.90 seconds at the Louie Bing. Joining Cox among Chaminade’s best are sophomores Kwame Smith and D’Angelo Ponds.
The Lions’ girls are young but will be competitive thanks to freshmen Nadya Grayson and Julian Stanish, sophomore Jasmine Hough and junior Haley Blades.
Dillard senior Jerry Philippe set a meet record in the 110 hurdles. Northeast senior Rotchild Tesaint is another of the county’s top hurdlers, winning the 300 meters this past weekend.
Fort Lauderdale’s boys will be tough in the distance events led by senior Michael Fiore, a University of Florida commitment and a champion this weekend in the 800 and 3,200 meters. Senior Humberto Ramirez, a champion in the 1,600 meters, is also back.
Stoneman Douglas senior jumpers Isaiah Shaw and Ameer Hussain should be formidable as well. Shaw won the boys’ triple jump and Hussain won the high jump at the Louie Bing.
Cardinal Gibbons junior Sam Mrky is among the top pole vaulters and showed it at the Louie Bing with a winning vault of
12-6.
Somerset Academy’s boys will be young but competitive led by sophomore Chris Brown in the 200 and 400 and eighthgrader Kaj “Nitro” Baker in the 100, 200 and 400. The Somerset girls’ team will be led by eighth-graders Sydney Tyler (sprints, long jump) and Kayla Williams (400, 800).
North Broward Prep’s girls will be led by seniors Mackenzie Osher, Emily Gordon, Olivia Demarinis and Morgan King.
The Eagles’ boys will be led by juniors Christian Dohler, Jose Suarez, Connor Clyatt and Max Fuentes.
Domingo German finally faced his teammates on Tuesday. The 28-year-old pitcher who served most of an 81-game suspension under the MLB/MLBPA joint domestic violence policy for a September 2019 incident, spoke with the pitchers and catchers as a group first.
Then he came across the street to meet with position players, Aaron Boone said.
“I think it gave everyone a chance to kind of get in the room and really start that conversation. If there’s any conversations to be had, individually, which I think have happened, but I think it sets the table to continue having those conversations, while also, as a team, really coming around and trying to support Domingo and helping him move forward,” the Yankees manager said. “Now, I think the proof is going to be in what’s ahead, in how he is as a teammate and how he is and in life in general. And hopefully we can all be there to support and help him become the best version of himself.”
Boone called the talks “impactful.”
“I mean, we’ll see how things unfold. I feel like he has his teammates’ support,” Boone said. “And we’ll see how that manifests itself over the coming days and weeks.”
The right-hander has a lot of eyes on how he uses this second chance, including some who were very critical of him within the clubhouse.
Thursday, the first official day that pitchers and catchers worked out, reliever Zack Britton made it clear that there were players in the clubhouse who were not happy with the idea of German being welcomed back.
When a fan defended German on Twitter, Britton made it clear the details of the September 2019 incident were known within the clubhouse and not something he could dismiss.
Coincidentally, on Sunday the details of the incident leaked.
That included German slapping his girlfriend at a charity event for former teammate CC Sabathia where much of the Yankees major-league organization was in attendance. The report said the incident continued at the home German shared with his girlfriend until she locked herself in a room and called the wife of one of German’s teammates to come and help her. That couple came to the residence to try and help, but the report said it was another Yankee employee who reported the incident to MLB. The incident was never reported to police.
ETC.
Soccer: Teenager
●
Jamal Musiala became
Bayern Munich’s youngestever goalscorer in the Champions League as he helped his team rout Lazio 4-1 in the first leg of the round of 16. Musiala, hwo is 17 years and 363 days, also became the secondyoungest player to score in the knockout stage of the competition when he netted Bayern’s second goal.
... Olivier Giroud’s bicycle-kick goal awarded after video review has given Chelsea a 1-0 win against Atletico Madrid in the first leg of the round of 16 of the Champions League. It took nearly three minutes for Giroud and his teammates to be able to celebrate the important 68th-minute away goal that was initially disallowed for offside . ... strengthened his case for an England call-up ahead of the European Championship by scoring his 13th goal of the season in
Leeds’ 3-0 win over struggling Southampton in the Premier League.
Golf: Ryan Linton of Hollywood scored a oneshot victory on the Minor League Golf Tour. Linton edged Willy Pumarol of the Dominican Republic 65 to 66 at Melreese Country Club in Miami. Linton made seven birdies and a bogey, earning $1,000 from the $5,635 purse and an additional $232 from an optional bonus pool. Pumarol had six and one, respectively, collecting
$610. Linton won a similar 54-hole test last
November.