text: Defenseman Needs To Prove His Worth - tribunedigital-sunsentinel
  Norton Equates Bad Teams With Poor Play
  October 26, 1998|By MICHAEL RUSSO Staff Writer
  Jeff Norton is becoming the Rodney Dangerfield of the rink. All he wants is a little respect.
  He feels he has gotten a bad rap for a couple of years because he's a victim of circumstance.
  ``I've played on some bad teams, including two bad ones last year [Tampa Bay and Florida), and that's why my points are down,'' Norton said. ``I think that gets carried away. Everybody is bad on a bad team, and I've been a victim of it.''
  It's hard to get respect sitting in the stands, so Norton, 32, realizes that in those rare times he plays, he must take advantage.
  After sitting out the first five games as a healthy scratch, the 12th-year defenseman played well Saturday night during a 2-2 final at Washington.
  The Panthers have had difficulty rushing the puck through the defensive and neutral zones on the power play, and Norton helped improve that dimension.
  ``On the first power play, he carried the puck from one end to the other and almost went right to the net himself by making a little deke around [Calle) Johansson,'' coach Terry Murray said. ``His role is carrying the puck up ice, and I thought he did a good job with it.''
  The Panthers have struggled in such a big way offensively (10 goals in six games), that Norton could be back in the lineup Wednesday against two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit.
  But Norton, who has 324 points in 592 games, understands there are no guarantees, especially since Murray will probably return Robert Svehla and Ray Whitney, who were benched against the Capitals, to the lineup.
  ``I would not be surprised by anything,'' Norton said. ``I've seen enough happen in my 11 years, and obviously Bobby Svehla and Ray Whitney are big parts of this team and big parts of the future. I don't think I'm in the plans here for very long, but I'll be ready when I'm called on and I'll try to stay positive.''
  It's been obvious to Norton that his job security is fragile. It wasn't an oversight that he was unprotected in the June expansion draft and October waiver draft.
  ``I realize the reality of everything around here,'' Norton said. ``It's just the way it is. So when I get my chance, I have to make the most of it because I don't know when the next one's going to be.
  ``[General Manager Bryan Murray has) been up front and honest with me, and I know they're trying to get rid of a contract, mine being one of them. I know the circumstances. So I know every time I get out there, it's an opportunity for me to show myself [to the Panthers and to other teams).''
  And while Norton says he doesn't want to be traded even though Murray has shopped him and Terry Carkner, Norton also doesn't like the role the Panthers have him in.
  ``I don't want to be moved. I've been moved enough,'' said Norton, who has been traded five times since 1993. ``I'd like to stay here, but I know the circumstances.
  ``I'm not ready to be a seventh defenseman. I think I have some good hockey left in me. But this is what happens when your numbers drop. On a better team, you're a better player. I think we have a better team this year, which helps, but if I'm [not playing), it gets frustrating.''