Move over Stanley C. Panther, Kevin Spacey is coming to South Florida to claim his place as the real mascot of the 2015-16 Florida Panthers.
Probably.
He hinted at a Florida trip in a tweet Thursday evening that featured the House of Cards actor packing a bag and almost forgetting to get his personalized Cats jersey. The tweet and video — the second he’s made with his Panthers jersey — comes with few details, but the Miami Herald reports that Spacey is expected at Saturday’s game against the Detroit Red Wings.
The whole Panthers and Spacey connection is strange and it’s not yet clear why it’s happening. At some point in the season the team debuted their #SpaceyInSpace sweatshirt, given by the players to the player of the game after each match. Aaron Ekblad even sported one during the All-Star Skills Competition.
That evolved into a video that was played in Sunrise featuring Spacey and his customized jersey that has 1738 on the back, just to increase the confusion level. The number is a reference to Fetty Wap’s “Trap Queen,” which is the song the Panthers play in the locker room after wins.
Still with me?
No one outside of the team and Spacey appears to have the full story on this. Even members of the team say they don’t really know the whole story, and all Spacey has really said is that he’s the team’s “good luck charm.”
When Barkov asked about #SpaceyInSpace sweatshirt he said 'honestly, I have no idea what it means.' #FlaPanthers pic.twitter.com/H52RPEkR60
— George Richards (@GeorgeRichards) December 30, 2015
The closest anyone has come to putting any real logic to the situation is that one player told the Miami Herald that a few players met Spacey during a road trip to New York back in December. After that the team went on their 12-game winning streak.
Maybe a little more will be revealed when #SpaceyInSpace lands at BB&T Center on Saturday. Watch Spacey’s tease below, and know that if you’re confused by all of this, you aren’t half as confused as people Googling Fetty Wap. Kevin Spacey and the Florida Panthers were a first page hit Thursday night.
No blarney… Spacey IS in space. #FloridaPanthers pic.twitter.com/bQKHhaV8uL
— Kevin Spacey (@KevinSpacey) March 17, 2016
Only I really know what #SpaceyInSpace means. Hope it continues to bring good luck! -K🚀#FlaPanthers @Barkovsasha95 https://t.co/2hOqoQK9Aw
— Kevin Spacey (@KevinSpacey) December 30, 2015
27 saves on 28 shots for Al Montoya! He earns tonight's #SpaceyInSpace pic.twitter.com/3Y36yqPp4U
— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) March 16, 2016