![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjCmj8ltKwmL8KQJ20VbVMs2NLrE4uFY39TTKMuT__MJUwsAW-N0Pskj8BzHdX1D6nljEdx_tEs7G9jklEkCV9DXBJcHfuejqRH26fDPd6UX38n0LN1pmnMu5OIN-tzEa2IlALr2wQAQ1A/s400/110807+-+FP+pucks.jpg)
Between the team's stars -- Olli Jokinen, Jay Bouwmeester, Tomas Vokoun and Stephen Weiss -- and its role players -- most notably Jozef Stumpel, Mike Van Ryn and Richard Zednik -- the Panthers are one of the NHL's most approachable teams.
And let's not forget about Hall of Famer Denis Potvin, who provides color commentary during Panthers' TV broadcasts.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge5_rtFHA-tqZBqgNFpWnVUowkFNicxi-gSsnzHCDnIgNfZL8RBbaDkqHTec5QK7kcR1lTl3EvBgysOL7oT5rOy0G4xDS6lT5gFCLOA707gfK7jUJJB-ZgjNapEkr6Rbj2H5HZhCZJSNiG/s400/110807+-+YGS+Weiss.jpg)
Quite simply, Vokoun, the Panthers' biggest splash in the free-agent market this summer, is a signing machine. I nearly apologized for having only two pucks for him to sign.
A word of caution, though, on Nathan Horton. Apparently, the Panthers young forward will go to great lengths to avoid even the smallest pack of hounds. Yesterday, he ducked out a back door of the hotel on his way to the morning skate. Only one person, who was late in arriving, crossed his path and received an autograph. Still, though, Horton is the exception to the rule.
And though I missed Jokinen (I only had cards for him), opting instead for a puck from Zednik, I was pretty pleased with adding another 22 autographs to the collection.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQeBOIfOOFaxpc_41aiMDX37ndrLtBqAOH65DtKF3C1gbXKy5BSDLxTPFA99PMcC3sEY-XSQz4e29Rmz8NsUxazJLLesBJystsfII8toT5Vi73hA7hbBu4J6VYMo1jpjU0j9hHPogMbBy/s200/110807+-+FP+cards.jpg)
Cards shown (above):
Top row - Jay Bouwmeester, Brett McLean and Branislav Mezei;
Bottom row - Ruslan Salei, Jozef Stumpel and Mike Van Ryn.
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