March 18
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
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Panthers winger Nathan Horton is expected to play Thursday for the first time since fracturing the tibia in his left leg nine weeks ago. Coach Pete DeBoer said after Wednesday's practice that he's hopeful Horton will be in the lineup against the Coyotes, barring any setbacks at morning skate. "I feel good," Horton said. "I do still have a little bit of pain, but it doesn't make it any worse when I skate." Horton said he's not sure when the pain will go away — "maybe not for a while," he noted — but added that it won't get any worse by pushing off on that leg. He has missed the past 17 games. The Panthers are 7-9-1 in his absence. Before the injury, Horton was on pace to eclipse his career ..."
March 3
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
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Panthers goalie Tomas Vokoun said Tuesday that he and General Manager Randy Sexton have discussed his future in regard to Wednesday's 3 p.m. trade deadline. Vokoun wouldn't provide details but said, "He knows where I stand and I know where he stands. We have an understanding. There are a couple of scenarios and I'm prepared for all of them." The veteran can feel more comfortable than other Panthers players because he has a no-trade clause. He reiterated his stance taken before the Olympic break -- that he'd waive his no-trade depending on the situation. "I'm waiting like everybody else to see if there is any truth to the rumors," said Vokoun, whose streak of 21 consecutive starts ended ..."
March 2
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
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The Panthers maintain they can still make the playoffs, but that already improbable quest became even harder Monday when they traded one of their best defensemen. As much as the Panthers would like to avoid tying the NHL record of nine consecutive seasons without a postseason appearance, they need to focus on the future. So General Manager Randy Sexton dealt Jordan Leopold to the Penguins for a second-round pick in this year's draft. The Panthers are expected to make more trades before Wednesday's 3 p.m. deadline. "It's difficult," Sexton said of giving up Leopold, "but we have to keep the big picture in mind here. We have to think of the long term along with the short term. We're trying ..."
March 1
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
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Panthers defenseman Jordan Leopold was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday for a second-round pick in this year's draft. As of Monday morning, the deal was pending league approval. Teams were allowed to start making deals again at midnight (Sunday into Monday) when the Olympic break roster freeze was lifted. It was expected the veteran Leopold, 29, would be moved by Wednesday's 3 p.m. trade deadline since he's set to become an unrestricted free agent after this season."
February 28
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
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Coral Springs Panthers General Manager Randy Sexton said Saturday that he has moved closer to making a number of possible trades, but stressed he's not auctioning off players between now and Wednesday's NHL trade deadline. "Make no mistake — there will be no fire sale," Sexton said. There are plenty of opportunities, though. "We're discussing a whole host of deals — some of which include draft picks, some of which include NHL players, some of which include some combination," he said. The team's new majority co-owners, Stu Siegel and Cliff Viner, wrote in a letter to fans before the Olympic break that the team requires "reshaping" and "significant change," a strong indication that the ..."
February 12
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
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Tick, tock. The clock is ticking on a potential trade to bring some scoring help to the Panthers comatose offense. Coach Pete DeBoer hinted that something could be in the works after Thursday's morning skate. "I know [GM Randy Sexton] is hard at work working the phones trying to make our team better,'' DeBoer said. " I don't have any predictions on whether or not we're going to make a deal or [are] close to a deal. I'm concentrating on Vancouver and Boston, and hopefully going into the break a little closer to the playoff spot than we are today.'' With slumping Florida mired in 12th place in the Eastern Conference before Thursday's game against the Canucks and six points behind ..."
February 7
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
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Stephen Weiss has been playing hurt for the past three weeks. Saturday, it was time for rest. The Panthers' No. 1 center did not play against the Thrashers after reaggravating an injury the night before against the Flames, coach Pete DeBoer said. Weiss tried to play with a lower-body injury Jan. 16 against the Lightning, but was pulled after less than six minutes of ice time. He sat out the next game, against the Thrashers, then played eight consecutive games before Saturday. General Manager Randy Sexton said he spoke with trainer Dave Zenobi and doesn't think Weiss will miss more than one game. "I really respect him for playing through the injury," Sexton said. Winger Nick Tarnasky ..."
December 17
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
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While the Panthers have said all tests showed Gregory Campbell didn't suffer a concussion last week, Campbell says he did. The injured forward said Wednesday he briefly lost consciousness after his accidental, full-speed collision with teammate Bryan Allen during the Dec. 7 game against the Oilers. He fell to the ice face first after he was hit in the head. "I had to watch [replays of] it to remember what happened," said Campbell, who took part in Wednesday's morning skate, but will miss his fifth consecutive game. A stretcher was brought out for Campbell, but he skated off under his own power after a few minutes down on the ice. "I remember something about arguing with [trainer Dave ..."
December 14
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
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The Florida Panthers sent down injured winger Nick Tarnasky to AHL Rochester on Sunday for a conditioning stint, the next step toward him playing for the first time this season. Tarnasky suffered a fractured orbital bone in a fight with Ottawa's Chris Neil during the Panthers' first exhibition game Sept. 15 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and his recovery was slowed by vision problems. According to the Panthers, Tarnasky is expected to return from Rochester before the league's two-day Christmas break if all goes well. In other injury news, forward Dominic Moore remains questionable for Monday's game against the Islanders because of a bruised abdomen. Michal Repik replaced Moore in the lineup ..."
December 1
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
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GM Randy Sexton spoke about goalie Tomas Vokoun's status after the game. Sexton said that he had just spoken with the physician who treated Vokoun at St. Joseph's Hospital here in Atlanta and that Vokoun received stitches for his ear laceration -- Sexton didn't know how many. Vokoun underwent a CT scan and did some other tests to make sure there wasn't any additional damage. Sexton said from what he was told, there was no internal ear damage and Vokoun didn't suffer a concussion. "The information I got was that he was awake, coherent, clear, all the way to the hospital," Sexton said. Sexton said Vokoun would be transported from the hospital to the airport, where he would meet up with the ..."
December 1
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
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The Panthers' power play has been a problem they've been unable to fix since the start of the season. They went into Monday's game against the Thrashers with the league's third-worst power play (13.3 percent success) and two goals with a man advantage -- both against the Maple Leafs -- in 23 chances the past six games. In large part, the futility has been a result of inability to keep the puck in the opponent's zone. "It's a mentality that you're going to come in and win those puck battles in order to get possession," said coach Pete DeBoer, adding he's stressed that to the forwards. "It's not something that comes naturally to a lot of them. It's a push every night. "We don't have a ..."
December 1
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The Thrashers won a game. The Panthers lost a goaltender. Max Afinogenov's goal with 5.5 seconds remaining gave the Thrashers a 4-3 victory over Florida, their fourth straight victory, Monday night. Late-game heroics have become routine for Afinogenov. The game-winner was his 11th goal of the season and eighth in the third period. Five of the late goals have come in the final minute and a half of games. "It's a lot of fun," Afinogenov said. "We are winning games and playing with these guys is unbelievable." It wasn't the Panthers' night. In a bizarre play early on, Florida's Tomas Vokoun was taken off the ice on a stretcher after he was hit squarely in the head by the swung stick of his ..."
December 1
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
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Keith Ballard was too devastated to talk. He shook his head no, and walked out of the visitors' dressing room without a word. The Panthers' defenseman had played most of Monday game with the guilt of having sent his goalie to the hospital by swinging his stick in frustration and accidentally striking him in the head. Then, when it didn't seem Ballard's night could get any worse, the Thrashers scored the winning goal with 5.5 seconds left when Maxim Afinogenov's shot hit Ballard's stick and went in. The Panthers lost to the Thrashers 4-3 at Philips Arena – their fifth consecutive loss. Their only consolation was that goalie Tomas Vokoun would be flying home with them. Vokoun was released ..."
November 19
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
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Panthers winger David Booth has stopped exercising after suffering a setback in his rehab last week. Coach Pete DeBoer said Booth, who suffered a concussion Oct. 24 in Philadelphia, had exercised for a few days without post-concussion symptoms, but they returned when he increased intensity of his workouts. "We've kind of taken our foot off the gas and given him a few days off before we look to go back at it again," DeBoer said Wednesday after the morning skate. "But that's anticipated. We knew going through this process there was going to be good days and bad." DeBoer and Booth had talking about him possibly coming on this three-game trip so he could attend Friday's game against the ..."
November 7
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
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Alan Cohen's days as majority owner of the Panthers are numbered, as two partners in his ownership group are expected to take control of the team, sources said. Panthers Vice Chairman Cliff Viner and Managing Director Stu Siegel, both Boca Raton businessmen, have reached agreement to buy as much as half of Cohen's approximately 43 percent share of the team, a source said. They will become co-general partners, other sources said. The agreement has not been signed but is expected to be announced next week. Cohen is to retain a stake but will no longer be making team decisions. Panthers fans are desperate for change. The team has not made the playoffs since 2000, the longest playoff drought ..."
November 6
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
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Florida Panthers winger David Booth said Thursday he expects to start exercising in the next day or two, though doctors won't allow him to do anything more strenuous than about 10 minutes on a bike. Booth has been restricted from physical activity since suffering his first-ever concussion Oct. 24 during a game against the Flyers in Philadelphia. He said he has gone for walks and relaxed in the pool. "You start to get anxious when you haven't done anything for so long," Booth said. "This is the longest I've ever gone without doing anything. I don't like it, but it is part of the process and you have to stick with the program." Booth said Thursday he felt much better than the days ..."
October 25
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
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Panthers' forward David Booth spent Saturday night at a local hospital after receiving a vicious hit to the head late in the second period of Saturday night's 5-1 loss to the Flyers at Wachovia Center. The extent of Booth's injury wasn't known after the game. Panthers' general manager Randy Sexton, who spoke briefly to the doctor who treated Booth at Methodist Hospital in South Philadelphia, said it appeared Booth suffered a concussion, but that he was conscious when he was wheeled off the ice on a stretcher and could move his extremities. Assistant team trainer Steve Dischiavi, who rode in the ambulance with Booth, stayed with him at the hospital while the team flew home. "They did some ..."
October 5
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
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The Panthers have agreed to a one-year, $1.1 million contract with free agent center Dominic Moore. The signing is expected to be announced by the team Monday. "He's really excited about it," said Moore's agent, Larry Kelly, who also represents Panthers defenseman Bryan Allen. "He thinks it's a huge opportunity to play for [Coach] Peter DeBoer. DeBoer is one of the brighter guys in the game. It's a perfect fit for Dom." The Panthers declined comment Sunday. Kelly said he had been talking with about four teams, including the Panthers, for the past two months, and that DeBoer was a "critical aspect" to Moore's decision. "These guys will be kindred spirits," Kelly said. "They'll be able to ..."
October 3
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
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After four months of handling the Panthers' general manager duties, Randy Sexton was officially given that job Friday. The team removed "assistant" from Sexton's title after a few days spent on the details of his contract — terms of which were not released. "I had the opportunity to audition for the job, but quite frankly I didn't spend one second worried about what was right for me," said Sexton, who was the Senators' general manager, president and chief executive officer from 1988-96. "I thought if I worked hard and did a good job that the results would speak for themselves and I think the results have spoken for themselves.""
September 14
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
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The Panthers are close to signing free-agent defenseman Dennis Seidenberg and a deal is imminent, an NHL source said Sunday. According to the source, the team and Seidenberg's agent, J.P. Barry, have been feverishly negotiating and have agreed to a one-year contract. They just need to settle on salary before the contract is finalized, which could happen as early as today. Seidenberg's signing would be a boon for the Panthers. The 28-year-old German is coming off the best season of his career, scoring five goals and 30 points in 70 games while averaging more than 22 minutes of ice time for the Carolina Hurricanes. The Panthers have been looking to add another experienced blue-liner to ..."
July 14
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
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The Panthers are one of five or six teams in the mix to sign free-agent winger Alex Tanguay, his agent said Monday. "They're one of the teams we've talked to, but that's about all I can say," Tanguay's agent, Robert Sauve, said. He added that he has received "a few offers," but wouldn't say whether one of those was from Florida. Panthers assistant General Manager Randy Sexton wouldn't comment on Tanguay when asked last week, noting only that "we're constantly looking to improve our team." Tanguay, 29, had 16 goals and 25 assists in 50 games with the Canadiens last season. He made $5.375 million, with a salary cap hit of $5.25 million, but is expected to take a pay cut. The Senators, Stars, ..."
June 26
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
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Panthers assistant general manager Randy Sexton said late Thursday afternoon there are "still four teams in the hunt" to acquire exclusive negotiating right to defenseman Jay Bouwmeester, who will soon become unrestricted free agent. Sexton wouldn't identify the teams or discuss details of negotiations, but he didn't rule out a trade being made tonight. Asked if he felt a need to get a deal done before the end of this week's draft in Montreal, Sexton said " We don't set timetables; we don't set timeframes. We have a plan and we work at it until we get what's best for our franchise. " Sexton also said he expects to meet with leading scored David Booth's agent in the next 48 hours to further ..."
June 25
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
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The Panthers have made a big splash at the NHL Draft with blockbuster trades the past three years. If they have their way, they will do so again this week with the draft Friday and Saturday in Montreal. Panthers Assistant General Manager Randy Sexton and alternate governor Bill Torrey have been on the phone with the league's general managers hoping to deal exclusive negotiating rights to Jay Bouwmeester before the All-Star defenseman leaves the team without compensation as an unrestricted free agent July 1. The Panthers, who hold the No. 14 pick in this year's draft, have made trades at the draft throughout this decade, starting with the acquisition of two of the future faces of their ..."
June 19
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
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Panthers alternate governor Bill Torrey said Thursday that he has started interviewing candidates for the Panthers' general manager job and plans to meet with as many more "as possible" at next week's draft in Montreal. Torrey, heading the search for Jacques Martin's successor, said he received inquiries from more than 60 candidates and spent the previous two days conducting interviews in Toronto. He'll return to Toronto on Monday for a Hockey Hall of Fame board meeting, then head to Montreal, where he'll attend the NHL's Board of Governor's meeting Wednesday before the draft Friday and Saturday. First, Torrey said he expects to be on the phone this weekend with general managers as he and ..."