After last nights loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets I can’t tell whether we should be asking ourselves, “what’s wrong with the Florida Panthers?” or “what’s not wrong with the Florida Panthers?” as the endangered cats teeter-totter on the brink of an evaporating playoff dream yet again.

This current Panthers squad is playing like they’ve lost their heart and soul give or take 20 minutes of effort here and there. It’s almost becoming too hard to watch them as their body language crumbles while the game wears on. But can you really blame them for their lack of confidence?

It’s got to be pretty brutal to play for a team whose offensive strategy is to seemingly kill their own power plays.

Also…although it’s very hard for me to admit this… I think Tim Thomas may have given up on this team. Their dismal performance against the Boston Bruins was a downright embarrassing homecoming for the former champion and quite possibly the nail in the coffin.

Although I love what he’s done for the Panthers, at this point, it would seemingly be in the best interest for Tim Thomas and the Florida Panthers to part ways so we can give Timmy a shot playing for a contender at the trade deadline, and we can grab a pick to help our franchise. I’d hate to see him walk away from no return after the season a la Bouwmeester. After the way this season has played out the task of re-signing Tim Thomas may prove to be too mighty.

It was only a couple weeks ago when Panther fans were able to ponder whether we’d be buyers or sellers at the trade deadline, but a string of recent losses to the Avalanche, Bruins, Maple Leafs, and Columbus Blue Jackets have turned those playoff dreams into unrealistic fantasies.

It’s time to get real and start wheeling and dealing.

The Florida Panthers organization will have to start seriously considering who they’ll choose at the draft with a top 5 pick and how they’re going to spend all their new money on free agency if they’re going to find any Shelter From the Storm.

I’m personally hoping we get a big top 6 power forward who can play on the wing and score goals. Whether we get him through free agency, the draft, or at the trade deadline, we need a first line right winger to fill the void Tomas Fleischmann left behind after his departure from his former self.

With the Olympics right around the corner, Dale Tallon will have extra time to re-evaluate the current Panthers squad and strategize how he’s going to turn this team into Stanley Cup contenders. It would be nice to hear from him and get an update on his vision and how the blueprint is going to be adjusted during the Olympic break, but it would also be great to hear from you.

Thanks for reading and say hi to me on twitter @cats2thecup