Chirping the Cats

Episode 63 of the Chirping the Cats podcast looks at what has gone wrong with the Florida Panthers lately as they went from a team charging toward a playoff spot to one suddenly falling out of contention. One week ago, Florida held the second Wild Card spot and was riding a seven-game points streak. Four straight losses later the Panthers are reeling and in need of an immediate turnaround if they want to maintain any shot at making the playoffs.

On Episode 62 of the Chirping the Cats podcast, host David Dwork discusses whether the Panthers are really turning around their season and if they have the goaltending to support such a transition. Also discussed are several players who are trending upwards, the ageless Eric Stall, the enigma that is Aaron Ekblad, the latest on Anthony Duclair and a visit to the rumor mill ahead of the Trade Deadline.

On Episode 61 of the Chirping the Cats podcast, host David Dwork welcomes back friend of the pod Roy Bellamy from the Dan LeBatard Show with Stugotz. On the pod, David and Roy discuss the Panthers possibly turning their season around as we near the All-Star Break, debate a recent Panthers-themed Mount Rushmore and discuss their visit to Toronto for Roberto Luongo’s Hockey Hall of Fame induction.

Episode 60 of the Chirping the Cats podcast features special guest Colby Guy from Florida Hockey Now and takes a look at some key Panthers issues as the team prepares to enter the annual NHL Holiday Break. Colby joins CTC host David Dwork to discuss the job so far by Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice, the team’s injury woes, the surprising play of several defenders, whether Florida’s goaltending is good enough to win during the playoffs and lots more.

On Episode 59 of the Chirping the Cats podcast, we take a deep dive into the new-look Panthers start of the season. Host David Dwork discusses and analyzes most players on the roster, the power play, the goaltending and fallout from defenseman Aaron Ekblad being put on LTIR.

On Episode 58 of the Chirping the Cats podcast, host David Dwork poses some interesting questions surround the Panthers as the reigning Presidents’ Trophy winners get set to kick off 2022 Training Camp in Coral Springs. Also on this episode, we hear from a Panthers prospects Justin Sourdif, Braden Haché and Nathan Staios. Each youngster sat down for an exclusive, albeit quick chat just for the listeners of Chirping the Cats.

Just when you thought the Panthers were done making moves, they go and pull off one of the biggest trades the league has seen in years. Florida acquired Matthew Tkachuk from Calgary in exchange for Jonathan Huberdeau, MacKenzie Weegar, Cole Schwindt and a first-round pick. It was a massive haul to pay for one player, but the 24-year-old Tkachuk is someone GM Bill Zito called a "unicorn" due to his unique, vast and high-end skillset. The Panthers introduced Tkachuk to South Florida with a press conference at FLA Live Arena, and Episode 57 of the CTC pod features some of the most interesting and thoughtful sound bites from the presser.

It was a busy week around the Florida Panthers as the 2021-22 NHL season finally came to a close. First, the Panthers hired Paul Maurice to be the team's next head coach, and a few days later Roberto Luongo was announced as member of the Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2022. A new coach, a Hall of Fame goalie, and several other Panthers topics, including a key injury and another goalie to congratulate, are discussed by host David Dwork on this episode of the CTC pod.

After taking a few days to process the Florida Panthers season ending in a stunning Second Round sweep at the hands of back-to-back Stanley Cup Champ Tampa Bay, Episode 55 of the Chirping the Cats podcast looks back at what was the best and most exhilarating Panthers season in decades. CTC host David Dwork is joined by Erin Brown of The Hockey News to talk about what went wrong in the playoffs, what they liked about the season, what the future may hold for the Cats and lots of things in-between.

On Episode 54 of the Chirping the Cats podcast host David Dwork is joined by Roy Bellamy of the Dan LeBatard Show Because Miami with and Montgomery and Co. to discuss the upcoming grudge match second round playoff series between the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning. Dave and Roy discuss what makes this year different than last season, when Tampa beat the Panthers in six games during round one, what the X-factors of the series could be, how Brayden Point's injury could impact things and lots more. Roy also discusses his trip to Washington D.C. to cover Game 6 against the Capitals, including a full analysis of the press box food situation.

Episode 53 of the Chirping the Cats podcast is all about the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Host David Dwork is joined by ESPN Senior NHL Writer Greg Wyshynski. They preview the opening round series between the Florida Panthers and Washington Capitals while also discussing what they like and are looking forward to seeing across the landscape of the NHL's first round series'. Dave also sits down for a quick chat with Panthers defenseman Gustav Forsling to discuss what makes Florida such a good team, why he thinks they'll succeed during the playoffs and the job that Interim Head Coach Andrew Brunette has done since taking over eight games into the season.

On Episode 52 of the Chirping the Cats podcast, host David Dwork welcomes longtime Washington Capitals and NHL reporter Tarik El-Bashir. They dive into the Stanley Cup Playoff First Round series between the Panthers and Capitals, discussing the health status of Alex Ovechkin, the normally scary Caps' power play, Washington's concerns in goal and how much fun it will be watching tough guys like Tom Wilson, Ryan Lomberg, Garnet Hathaway, Radko Gudas and Patric Hornqvist give everything they have for their respective teams.

Episode 51 of the Chirping the Cats podcast highlights a handful of important topics as the Panthers prepare for what they hope is a long run through the Stanley Cup Playoffs. CTC host David Dwork discusses the superb play of Hart Trophy candidate Jonathan Huberdeau, rookie Anton Lundell and defenseman Gus Forsling, how Florida's goaltenders are performing heading into the playoffs, head coach Andrew Brunette being in the discussion for the Jack Adams Trophy and how he's been handing the defensive pairings.

On Episode 50 of the Chirping the Cats podcast, host David Dwork is joined by NHL insider David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period. The two Daves discuss the 2022 NHL Trade Deadline and break down the moves made by the Florida Panthers as the team pursues the franchise's first Stanley Cup.

Episode 49 of the Chirping the Cats podcast features a one-on-one chat with a Florida Panthers defenseman known for his edge and his facial hair. On this episode, host David Dwork sits down with Panthers d-man Radko Gudas and asks about his role with the team, his love for South Florida, his eye for fashion, his nickname, playoff bears and much more.

On Episode 48 of the Chirping the Cats podcast, host David Dwork is joined by former Florida Panthers player and current Panthers radio color commentator Bill Lindsay. On the pod, Dave and Billy discuss what has helped Florida become one of the best teams in the NHL this season, the job that Interim Head Coach Andrew Brunette has done to this point, and how interested the Panthers might be in Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun.

On Episode 47 of the Chirping the Cats podcast, host David Dwork is joined by Local 10 News' Ian Margol and the two team up to compare notes on the Panthers season so far. Dave and Ian go up and down Florida's roster, analyzing the performance of several players and discussing they liked, what they didn't, and how the lineup is coming together as the season nears its midway point.

On Episode 46 of the Chirping the Cats, it's all about Panthers forward Ryan Lomberg. CTC host David Dwork gets into some of the ways Lomberg has taken his game up a notch this season, and how it's led to him earning an everyday spot in the lineup, but that's not all, as Dave sits down for a chat with Lombo, where they discuss how much he enjoys his job, what he's doing differently, how hard he works, hair flips, bench chirps and lots more.

On Episode 45 of the Chirping the Cats podcast, host David Dwork is joined by Mike Kelly of the NHL Network and Sportlogiq. Mike famously picked the Panthers as his Stanley Cup winner before the season started, so Dave checked in to see what went into that decision and whether he still stands by his pick. Dave and Mike also chat about the Panthers season, what makes them so good, what their biggest challenges may be and lots more!

Episode 44 of the Chirping the Cats podcast features one of the newest Panthers players, forward Sam Reinhart. CTC host David Dwork sits down for a quick chat with Reinhart, where they discuss the Panthers tight-knit locker room and some of the characters that make it what it is. The funniest Panther, the guy who chirps the most and Frank Vatrano's music selections were just some of the things Reinhart was asked about.