Florida Panthers Trade Rumors

Stars swing minor league trade for once-highly-sought prospect Angelo Esposito
"Angelo Esposito was taken 20th overall in the 2007 entry draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins and has struggled since then to live up that billing. The Stars believe he still has a chance to make something of himself. Dallas on Friday traded Ondrej Roman to Florida for Esposito in a swap of minor leaguers who just haven't panned out. Both turn 23 in February and both have struggled to find the right fit. Roman has 1 goal and 4 assists for 5 points in 24 games with the Texas Stars this season. Esposito has 2 goals and 3 assists for 5 points in 16 games with San Antonio. This is basically giving two kids a fresh start. We'll see how it works. Esposito will report immediately to the Texas Stars."
Panthers Weaver received contract extension
"Leave it to Kris Versteeg to keep it loose in the Panthers dressing room today when he snuck behind defenseman Mike Weaver and nailed him with a shaving-cream pie to celebrate the invaluable defenseman's two-year contract extension. At 5-10 (in skates) Weaver may be one of the shorter defensemen in the NHL, yet his extra-long stick and excellent positioning has made him a key member of the Panthers seven-man defensive rotation, particularly on the penalty-kill unit where he excels. With offensive-minded defensemen such as Brian Campbell, Jason Garrison, Dmitry Kulikov and a budding Erik Gudbranson, Weaver isn't asked to deliver bombs from the point. He knows his role yet he has chipped in"
John Madden could join Florida Panthers
"The Panthers are close to signing 38-year-old center John Madden and could announce a one-year deal with the three-time Stanley Cup champion on Thursday. According to general manager Dale Tallon, the Panthers are talking to Madden and deciding whether or not "it's worth" pursuing a deal. Madden, who won the Cup with New Jersey and Chicago, hasn't played since April 2 against Tampa Bay. He scored 12 goals — his final one on March 17 — with the Wild last season. "We're still talking right now," Tallon said on Wednesday afternoon as rumors swirled of Madden's impending signing. "Yeah, something could happen [Thursday]. We'll see. I just don't know." The big question is Madden's physical"
Weiss keys best comeback in Panthers' history to beat DeBoer, Devils
"The roar in the BankAtlantic Center as the final buzzer sounded was only surpassed by the raucous cheering emanating from the Panthers' dressing room after downing the New Jersey Devils and their former coach, Pete DeBoer, 4-3 Monday night. DeBoer made no bones about it. He fervently wanted his first trip back to Sunrise as an opposing coach since being fired last spring to be a winning one. Sorry about that, Pete. The three-goal comeback was one of the most monumental in franchise history. One of DeBoer's favorite Panthers, Stephen Weiss, engineered Florida's first two-game winning streak at home since Jan. 11-15, when they had a three-game run that also included the Devils."
Panthers' Jacob Markstrom sent to AHL; Scott Clemmensen returns
"acob Markstrom's time will come. Dale Tallon still is expecting big things from the 21-year-old. It's just that those big things won't be coming from the big kid in the short term in the Florida Panthers' goal. As expected, the Panthers sent the 6-foot-6 goaltending prodigy to their San Antonio Rampage affiliate in the American Hockey League on Monday in order to clear a roster spot for returning backup Scott Clemmensen. For Tallon, not even Markstrom's stellar play in reserve of veteran Jose Theodore was enough to alter the team's long-term vision of Markstrom as a franchise face of the future."
DirecTV may drop local Heat, Panthers telecasts
"The dispute between DirecTV and Fox over programming fees has taken on the heavy-handed rhetoric of a labor strike with South Florida sports fans and millions of satellite TV viewers nationwide caught in the crossfire. DirecTV has threatened to drop several prominent Fox cable networks and 19 regional sports channels if an agreement isn't reached by Nov. 1, affecting most of its 19.5 million viewers. In South Florida, that includes Fox Sports Florida and Sun Sports, which broadcast Marlins Get your Marlins Tickets now!, Heat, Panthers and Rays games as well as coverage of the state's major college teams."
Panthers likely to keep 19-year-old defenseman after deadline
"Florida Panthers general manager Dale Tallon said rookie defenseman Erik Gudbranson would likely stay with the team after his so-called nine-game tryout. Gudbranson, who is from the Ottawa area, will play his ninth game Thursday night against the Senators at Scotiabank Place. If the Panthers were to send the 19-year-old back to his junior team in Kingston, Ontario, after Thursday's game the team wouldn't lose the first year of Gudbranson's entry-level contract. If he stays, he can become a free agent a year sooner. The Panthers could still send him back to juniors after his 10th game played, but that rarely happens."
Florida Panthers keep winning behind new goalie
"The remaking of the Panthers in just more than one year under Dale Tallon is so thorough, David Booth said he recognized more faces in the Vancouver locker room after being traded there this past weekend than he did when he reported to training camp. One of the few players left with ties to former general manager Jacques Martin played a big role against the Martin-coached Canadiens on Monday. Jacob Markstrom's performance against Montreal didn't help Martin's cause in Montreal. Markstrom, drafted by Martin in 2008, made his second career start and made 40 saves — many of the spectacular variety — as the Panthers added more misery to the beleaguered Martin as Florida escaped Bell Center"
Gillis drops a bomb, trades Samuelsson for big-ticket Booth
"Minutes after defenceman Sami Salo fired a bomb to beat the Minnesota Wild 3-2, Vancouver Canuck general manager Mike Gillis dropped a bigger bomb by dealing popular veteran Mikael Samuelsson in a multi-player trade that brings winger David Booth and $18-million in salary from the Florida Panthers. The Canucks also gave up failed experiment Marco Sturm and took on Steve Reinprecht, another player long past his best who has been getting his $2.175-million NHL contract in the minors. Vancouver also gets Florida's third-round draft pick in 2013."
Panthers trade Booth and respond with thrilling win over Isles
"Panthers General Manager Dale Tallon wanted to send a strong message to his players that getting shut out in back-to-back games by conference opponents wasn't acceptable. Tallon grimly drove his point home just before the opening faceoff of Saturday's game against the Islanders, trading longtime Panthers left wing David Booth to the Vancouver Canucks for a couple of NHL warhorses in Marco Sturm and Mikael Samuelsson. The message was received loud and clear as the Panthers dominated nearly every statistical category in smothering the Islanders 4-2 at BankAtlantic Center to snap a two-game losing streak as they embark on their first Canadian trip of the season. And it could be without"
Panthers sign No. 3 overall pick Jonathan Huberdeau
"The Panthers signed forward Jonathan Huberdeau, the third pick of the 2011 entry draft pick, to a three-year entry-level contract Monday. However, Huberdeau, 18, who had an outstanding rookie camp and preseason, isn't eligible to play for the Panthers until his junior season with the Saint John Sea Dogs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is over, or if an emergency situation arises. The Sea Dogs season ends on March 17. However, Huberdeau led them to the Memorial Cup title that didn't end until May 29. An NHL spokesman said the only way that Huberdeau could come up earlier in the regular season is if the Panthers sustain injuries to three forwards. In that case, Huberdeau would have"
Florida Panthers inspired by brave 12 year old
"The Panthers may not have picked their captain yet but they have picked their team ambassador in 12-year-old C.J. George. George, who was stricken with lymphoma blood cancer when he was 9 but is in full remission, gave a stirring speech at the Panthers Ford Face-Off Gala Tuesday night at Pier 66 in which he helped raise several thousand dollars in the fight against pediatric cancer. Then prior to Thursday's final practice at Saveology.com IcePlex before the season opens Saturday night on Long Island, George gave the team an emotional pep talk."
Florida Panthers send Jonathan Huberdeau back to his junior team
"The Panthers decided Jonathan Huberdeau's future worth is much more than his current one on Monday, sending the talented 18-year-old forward back to his junior team in Quebec. Huberdeau, the third overall pick of the 2011 draft, is not eligible to play for the Panthers this season save for an emergency call-up or until his junior team's season is complete. Last year, Huberdeau helped the Saint John Sea Dogs to the Canadian junior championship by winning the Memorial Cup. The Panthers needed to sign Huberdeau to an entry-level contract by Tuesday, although now, there's no rush. Huberdeau, who scored a team-high three goals during the preseason, made it tough on Florida's decision makers."
Panthers mulling whether to keep talented teens Gudbranson, Huberdeau
"For the second straight preseason, the Panthers' decision-makers are faced with signing their first-round draft pick or sending him back to junior hockey for further development. Last year, they couldn't come to terms with third overall pick Erik Gudbranson and he grudgingly returned to the Kingston Frontenacs, where he took out his frustrations on younger, smaller teens. Now it's Jonathan Huberdeau's turn. Like Gudbranson, Huberdeau, 18, has made the decision difficult by having an outstanding preseason in which he led the Panthers with three goals, all coming on the power play, which was ranked 30th last season. The Panthers have until 5 p.m. Tuesday to sign Huberdeau to his entry-level"
Markstrom wins job as Florida Panthers' backup goalie
"Jacob Markstrom isn't used to backing up anyone. The Panthers rookie goalie has been a starter since taking over for Brynas of the Swedish Elite League at just 18. Now 21, Markstrom will start this season as Florida's backup to Jose Theodore, although it sounds like this job isn't anything he aspires to. It is, however, a start. "I want to play every game, and every goalie has that mind-set. You need to have that mind-set. You don't want to sit on the bench,'' said Markstrom, who was named the Panthers' second goalie on Thursday. "I'm not going to get anything for free. It's up to me. It hasn't happened yet. It's a good thing to be up here.''"
Panthers' players sticking up for each other in preseason
"The downside in completely remaking a roster is the time it takes for a team to become a cohesive unit. Players need to get to know each other, know their tendencies. When asked how quickly the Panthers would come together early in the preseason, general manager Dale Tallon had no concrete answer. How quickly a bunch of players become a team depends on many variables. Florida went a long way into becoming a true team during the third period of Tuesday night's preseason loss to Dallas. With less than eight minutes left in regulation, Dallas' Ryan Garbutt rammed Tim Kennedy into the boards, the Florida winger leaving the ice with blood streaming down his face as his forehead was cut from the"
Florida Panthers goalie Markstrom not satisfied to be a backup
"The three-hour flight from Fort Lauderdale to Dallas was very rough for young goalie Tyler Plante, and it had more to do with the turbulent nature of professional sports than any atmospheric disturbances. While most of his teammates were making the one-day turnaround to play the Dallas Stars on Thursday night, Plante was waived before they took off. If he clears waivers on Friday, he will join the Panthers' AHL affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage, in nearby Austin, where they play the Texas Stars. After the game, the Panthers also sent center Tim Kennedy to join the Rampage. Plante, 24, was given a small window of opportunity to earn a backup role behind projected starter Jose Theodore"
Panthers waive G Plante; Markstrom to back up Theodore
"The Panthers moved closer to finalizing their regular-season 23-man roster tonight before the last preseason game in Dallas because several players will go right to Austin to meet up with the San Antonio Rampage, who are visiting the Texas Stars of the AHL. One move made already was placing goalie Tyler Plante, 24, on waivers with the hope that he clears and is assigned to San Antonio. "It was a good battle to try to earn that roster spot. At the end of it, it was performance based," Dineen said. "It wasn't potential based for me. We're not here to sell the future. Guys who perform well on ice are going to earn their way into the lineup and that's the way the situation played out.""
Panthers Santorelli out with shoulder injury
"Panthers center Mike Santorelli, who enjoyed a breakthrough season last year with 20 goals, sustained a shoulder injury in the second period of Tuesday's 4-3 overtime loss to Dallas and will be out for at least 3-4 weeks. "He certainly won't be ready for the start of the season,'' Panthers coach Kevin Dineen said after Wednesday's practice at Saveology.com Iceplex. "It's at least a couple of weeks and we'll see where he goes from there. "He's obviously disappointed, but we're all optimistic he's going to be back.''"
Florida Panthers Markstrom wins goalie duel with teammate Plante
"Jacob Markstrom has been constantly billed as the Panthers goaltender of the future, but after a solid start in Tuesday's wild 4-3 overtime loss to the Dallas Stars, he will most likely be their present choice to back up Jose Theodore when the season opens Oct. 8. At the morning skate, Panthers coach Kevin Dineen said with expected backup Scott Clemmensen out for about a month after knee surgery, the competition would be wide open between Markstrom, 21, and Tyler Plante, 24, who has paid his dues in the ECHL and AHL for the past three years. "It's a good opportunity for those guys to put there skills on display,'' Dineen said. "[There's been] a lot of talk about Jacob and the potential he"
Florida Panthers' Angelo Esposito getting his chance
"For more than two hours, Angelo Esposito sat at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, waiting to hear his named called. In 2006, Esposito was considered the top prospect going into the following year's draft, the expected top overall pick. Then, things changed. The speedy winger was called lazy by some scouts, not interested in the game by others. When the 2007 draft kicked off, it was obvious Esposito wouldn't go first. But he wouldn't fall much further. Or would he? Chicago general manager Dale Tallon took Patrick Kane with the first pick; James van Riemsdyk went second to the Flyers. The Panthers might have been tempted to take Esposito with the 10th pick, but chose Keaton Ellerby"
Panthers saving most of A-list for Saturday rematch vs. Lightning
"It's not exactly the B-team that will take the ice for the Florida Panthers at St. Pete Times Forum for Friday's exhibition against the Tampa Bay Lightning, but much of the team's A-list will be saved for Saturday's rematch at BankAtlantic Center. Among those left off the travel roster are Stephen Weiss, David Booth, Ed Jovanovski, Brian Campbell and Jose Theodore. "You look at it, you say travel plays a part, there's always a respect level for the veterans," coach Kevin Dineen said after Thursday's practice. "There's a respect level for your fans, that they're itching to see your players back, they want to see your top guns in action at home. And there's the luxury, as a coach, there's"
Panthers' Huberdeau shows off skills at rookie game
"A day before the Panthers rookies were slated to play their Tampa Bay Lightning counterparts in the first game of a five-day tournament, first-round pick Jonathan Huberdeau wondered if he would be in the starting lineup. After a packed house at Saveology.com Iceplex watched Huberdeau score a goal and create several other chances in Florida's 4-2 victory, he probably should be wondering if he will be in the starting lineup Oct. 8 when the Panthers open against the Islanders. Actually, the No. 3 overall pick of June's draft is pretty confident. "I came here with the idea to be prepared to make the team,'' Huberdeau said before swooping past the Lightning defense in the second period to"
Prospects set to show promise at rookie camp
"The Panthers currently have their deepest crop of prospects in franchise history, with a handful of the youngsters expected to seriously compete for roster spots on this year's team. For players such as Erik Gudbranson, Jonathan Huberdeau, Quinton Howden and others, their road to the opening-night roster officially begins on Saturday when Florida's rookie camp opens in Coral Springs. Gudbranson is the most likely prospect to make it. The third overall pick in 2010, the hulking defenseman was on the cusp of making last year's squad, but the two sides couldn't come to terms on a contract. That's not the case this year, as Gudbranson signed an entry-level deal with the team following the"
Rookies hope to impress during three-team tournament
"While the Panthers underwent a radical makeover this offseason to address their immediate shortcomings, their future will be on display over the next five days during a three-team rookie tournament at Saveology.com Iceplex. Twenty-seven of the Panthers' top rookies and prospects will take physicals Friday, then compete against their young counterparts on the Nashville Predators and Tampa Bay Lightning for spots on next week's 60-player training camp roster. "If a young kid earns a spot, he earns a spot, where in the past these kids were given a spot because we weren't so deep,'' said Panthers assistant GM Mike Santos. "But we all know when you look around the league it's very difficult for"
Report: Stillman to retire, join Florida front office
"Forward Cory Stillman, one of the few NHL players to win consecutive Stanley Cups with different teams, reportedly will announce his retirement Thursday at a news conference in Florida. The Peterborough (Ontario) Examiner also reports that Stillman will be introduced as a member of the Panthers' player development staff. He will monitor and work with Florida's junior and minor-league prospects. Stillman scored 278 goals and added 449 assists in 1,025 games during 16 NHL seasons with Calgary, St. Louis, Tampa Bay, Carolina and Florida -- he was traded from the Panthers back to Carolina in February and had 17 points in 21 games. He was a member of the Lightning's 2004 Cup winners after his"
NHL policy change on substance abuse?
"The recent off-ice deaths of two NHL players could spark a change in how the league conducts its substance abuse and behavioural program. Commenting on the passing of New York Ranger Derek Boogaard and Winnipeg Jet Rick Rypien at the league's research and developmnt camp in Toronto, commissioner Gary Bettman told a wire service that he will soon approach the Players Association to study the current policy. Boogaard passed away in May after a mishap with alcohol and a painkiller drug. Rypien, who reportedly suffered from depression, died Monday and police will only say the circumstances were not suspicious. Both men had been in the program, which has helped many players with varied"
Panthers sign D Caruso to two-way deal
"The Panthers signed defenseman Michael Caruso to one-year, two-way deal. Caruso, 23, a fourth-round pick from 2006, will be hard-pressed to make this year's team and will most likely play for the Rampage. Florida Panthers Executive Vice President & General Manager Dale Tallon announced today that the club has agreed to terms with D Michael Caruso on a one-year, two way contract."
Panthers sign 2010 first-round pick Erik Gudbranson
"After 13 months of protracted contract negotiatons the Panthers announced Friday that they signed defenseman Erik Gudbranson, last year's overall No. 3 draft pick, to a three-year entry level contract. Terms have not been released yet. "I'm introducing you to our newest Florida Panther, Erik Gudbranson,'' Panthers GM Dale Tallon said inside a video room in Saveology.com Iceplex following the conclusion of the team's three-day development camp. "Official, official, official, signed on the dotted line. We're really proud, obviously, he's our first pick of the new regime; it's been a great pick, he's a great kid and he represents all what we're all about here as far as character and skill and"
Panthers sign Blues defenseman Strachan
"The Panthers continued their month-long roster facelift on Tuesday by signing defenseman Tyson Strachan to a two-way deal. The deal has been reported on TSN to be $750,000 if he makes the Panthers or $150,000 if he goes to the Rampage. Strachan was drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes in the fifth round of the 2003 draft. He has six assists in 67 games in three seasons with the St. Louis Blues. He has a career plus-1 on-ice rating, but was minus-10 last year."
Flames trade Seabrook to Panthers for Henry
"The Calgary Flames have swapped minor-league defencemen with the Florida Panthers. To the Panthers went Keith Seabrook, younger brother of Brent Seabrook, mainstay of the Chicago Blackhawks. In exchange, the Flames receive Jordan Henry. "Jordan Henry is a two-way defenceman who plays with an edge to his game," said Flames general manager Jay Feaster, who signed the Milo, Alta., native to a one-year (two-way) deal Saturday. "He is a responsible and smart defender, yet he is also adept at joining the rush and pinching down the wall to support the offence. He is still a solid prospect and we viewed this trade as an opportunity to give two young players a new start with different"
Looking to the future Panthers make three trades; re-sign Carter
"A day after introducing nine new players who are expected to bolster the Panthers chances of ending their playoff drought this season, they made three trades Saturday with an eye toward the future. The most recognizable player traded was fourth-line checker Kenndal McArdle, a Panthers' first-round pick in 2005, to Winnipeg for another underachieving first-rounder, center Angelo Esposito. McArdle, more known for his physical style than finesse, has one goal and two assists in 33 games over the last three seasons with Florida. The Panthers also dealt undersized, hard-nosed left wing Mike Duco to the Canucks for right wing Sergei Shirokov, who scored 22 goals for the Manitoba Moose of the AHL"
Panthers re-sign Santorelli to one-way deal
"Mike Santorelli, a long shot to make the Panthers last summer with two goals in 32 career NHL games, seemed destined for their former AHL affiliate in Rochester. Never happened. Santorelli, who deservedly beat out high-profile acquisition Michael Grabner — who went on to notch 34 goals for the Islanders — scored 20 goals in his first full NHL season, good enough to earn a two-year contract Wednesday afternoon. "My mindset going into last year's camp was to impress and focus on what I do best, but the goal is to make the team,'' Santorelli said from his home in Vancouver. There won't be as many job openings when the Panthers open training camp Sept. 17; 11 new players were added in the past"
Panthers sign G Theodore, F Upshall, D Jovanovski, C Goc
"It took about an hour after free agency began at noon Friday for Panthers General Manager Dale Tallon to strike. Tallon signed veteran goalie Jose Theodore to take the place of Tomas Vokoun, left wing Scottie Upshall to provide scoring on the top line, and former Panthers No. 1 pick Ed Jovanovski to mentor the younger defensemen. They added veteran 6-1 center Marcel Goc, a stellar faceoff artist, who has appeared in the playoffs in six of his seven years in the NHL. Jovanovski, 35, the overall top pick of the 1994 draft, will receive a reported $16.5 million over four years. He played his first three-and-a-half seasons in South Florida, scoring 29 goals with 54 assists. He was traded to"
Panthers sign Kopecky; still courting Vokoun
"Getting a jump on the start of free agency, the Panthers locked up former Blackhawks center Tomas Kopecky to a four-year deal worth a reported $12 million Wednesday. After acquiring the negotiating rights to Kopecky on Monday for a future seventh-round pick, Panthers General Manager Dale Tallon needed to get the deal done before noon Friday or else the rugged Slovak would have become an unrestricted free agent. Tallon now turns his attention toward re-signing another Tomas – Vokoun, the Panthers' 34-year-old goalie, before he becomes a free agent. "We're in negotiations with him as we speak and are very hopeful,'' Tallon said. With just veteran backup goalie Scott Clemmensen on the roster"
Panthers sign veteran center Tomas Kopecky
"The Florida Panthers have signed veteran center and two-time Stanley Cup winner Tomas Kopecky to a four-year contract. "Tomas is a proven winner who we are pleased to have signed," General Manager Dale Tallon said in a statement. "He is a hard working player who is tough to play against, and recorded career highs in both goals and assists last season. He is a versatile player, who can play any forward position, has good vision at both ends of the ice and will immediately make an impact in our line-up." Kopecky, 29, is the third member of the 2010 Cup-winning Chicago Blackhawks now on the Panthers. Tallon, regarded as the archiotect of that team, was fired the previous season in a"
Panthers have money to spend
"With the draft complete, Panthers general manager Dale Tallon and assistant Mike Santos have plenty of work to do. The free agency period opens Friday, with Florida being forced into the role of a major player. Even with the pickup of defenseman Brian Campbell and his big contract, the Panthers have about $24 million to spend just to get to the NHL-mandated salary-cap floor. With the salary cap set at $64.3 million — and the minimum at $48.3 million — the Panthers are going to be very active. Florida has about $24?million committed for the coming season. "We're excited about this. It took a lot of pain last year to get ourselves in this position,'' Tallon said. "We've earned the right to"
Panthers acquire rights to Blackhawks' Kopecky
"General Manager Dale Tallon continues to use his Blackhawks connections to retool the Panthers' roster. Monday he traded a 2012 conditional seventh-round draft pick for the rights to sign right wing Tomas Kopecky. Kopecky, 29, earned Stanley Cup rings with the Red Wings in 2008 and the Blackhawks in 2010. The 6-3, 205-pounder has 25 goals and 38 assists in the past two seasons, and has 37 goals with 58 points and 201 penalty minutes in 338 career games. He's got seven points in 30 playoff games. Kopecky, drafted by the Red Wings in the second round (38th) in 2000, will be the second Blackhawk obtained by the Panthers since Friday, joining former teammate defenseman Brian Campbell. He will"
Panthers ready to trade and add free agents this week
"While the Panthers' front-office honchos flew home Sunday morning feeling content after adding 10 building blocks, there is still more work to do. With just 10 signed players on the active roster and the free-agency period starting Friday, the Panthers, who have about $26 million to shop for nine players, are trying to make some early-week trades with cash-strapped teams looking to shed payroll. In addition to their 10 teenage draft picks, the Panthers already made a huge move that should pay immediate dividends by persuading 32-year-old defenseman Brian Campbell to waive his no-trade clause with the Blackhawks on Friday night to join a franchise in flux. "This is a very important week for"
Tallon goes on the offensive
"Since the end of the season, Panthers General Manager Dale Tallon tried to be coy with the prying media regarding his draft wish list, saying he'd just as soon continue to bolster the defense and that size is still a virtue he covets. Even he couldn't keep a straight face after drafting seven forwards and three defensemen this weekend, including 5-foot-6 California-born center Rocco Grimaldi with the team's first second-round pick at No. 33. "Every tournament we saw him play this year in Europe or wherever, he was just dominant,'' Tallon said. "You always look at the size but you see a lot of great players in the NHL who are 5-6, 5-7. …We got plenty of size coming. "Our mantra going into"
Blackhawks trade Brian Campbell, Troy Brouwer on busy draft day
"Another year, another draft and another day full of trade talk involving key Blackhawks players. And, ultimately, more players gone from their Stanley Cup-winning team. Physical winger Troy Brouwer went first Friday. He was traded to the Washington Capitals for the 26th pick in the draft. Puck-moving defenseman Brian Campbell was next. He was asked to waive the limited no-trade clause in his lucrative contract to allow a deal to the Florida Panthers for winger Rostislav Olesz. It was mixed emotions for both. As Brouwer said in a phone interview, he now knows exactly what ex-teammates Dustin Byfuglien, ­Andrew Ladd, Adam Burish and others experienced when they were dealt last summer because"
Florida Panthers Have Third Selection -- For Now; Who Do They Take?
"In past winters, Jonathan Huberdeau and his family packed up their RV and headed south from Quebec. The last stop would be South Florida where they would take in a Panthers game, usually against their beloved Montreal Canadiens. Along the route, the Huberdeau clan found places like parking lots at Wal-Mart or Cracker Barrel to crash for the night. "We would stay everywhere, sleep everywhere,'' Jonathan Huberdeau said Thursday afternoon. "We wouldn't park at the [Sawgrass Mills] mall across the street because there were too many people always. We liked going there. There's a lot of people from Quebec in Florida around Christmas.'' The Panthers may just offer Huberdeau and his family nicer"
Florida Panthers have options in draft
"In past winters, Jonathan Huberdeau and his family packed up their RV and headed south from Quebec. The last stop would be South Florida, where they would take in a Panthers game, usually against their beloved Montreal Canadiens. Along the route, the Huberdeau clan found places like parking lots at Walmart or Cracker Barrel to crash for the night. "We would stay everywhere, sleep everywhere," Huberdeau said Thursday afternoon. "We wouldn't park at the [Sawgrass Mills] mall across the street because there were too many people always. We liked going there. There's a lot of people from Quebec in Florida around Christmas." The Panthers might just offer Huberdeau and his family nicer"
Panthers can't go wrong with any of top 3 prospects
"Just met with several of the projected top 10 draft picks at the Walker Art Center in downtown Minneapolis and came away thinking the Panthers can't go wrong with several of these kids, including forwards' Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Jonathan Huberdeau, Gabriel Landeskog, Sean Couturier and Ryan Strome. Notice I left out the top three defenseman, Adam Larsson, Dougie Hamilton and Nathan Beaulieu. That's because no matter what smoke screens that GM Dale Tallon may put out there, there's no way he's picking a blue liner with the No. 3 pick. In fact, only Nugent-Hopkins, Huberdeau and Landeskog (who are all represented by the same agency) are meeting with Tallon, assistant GM Mike Santos and"
Panthers GM Tallon holds all the cards but no takers yet
"Although his cell phone was buzzing all day with potential trade partners who covet the Florida Panthers' No. 3 draft pick, General Manager Dale Tallon felt neglected as he watched the Flyers unload stars such as Mike Richards and Jeff Carter to other needy teams. "I made a lot of dandy trades last night, but then I woke up,'' Tallon joked. "Cap-challenged teams have been talking to us but nothing's come to fruition yet. There's been a lot of pondering, a lot of positioning as far as what we might do, what we may trade or get back in return. … Things are starting to percolate.'' The Panthers have a whopping $46 million in cap space and 10 picks, including three in the first 47. That said,"
Panthers GM Tallon hopes to duplicate last year's draft success
"Dale Tallon's first draft as GM of the Panthers last year was given grades of A+ from Bleacher Report and ESPN Insider at the time and a year later looks even better after stellar seasons from Quinton Howden, Alexander Petrovic and Zach Hyman. Player; Pos; Rd./Pick; Team; Stats; Erik Gudbranson; D; 1/3; Kingston-OHL; 34 points, 105 PIMs in 44 games; *Nick Bjugstad; C; 1/19; Univ. of Minnesota; 20 points in 29 games, 4 points in six games for U.S. bronze team at World Junior Championship; Quinton Howden: C; 1/25; Moose Jaw-WHL; 40 goals, 79 points in 60 games, 5 points for Canada's silver team at WJC; John McFarland; LW; 2/33; Sudbury/Saginaw-OHL; 25 goals, 38 points in 49 games; Alexander"
Panthers GM Dale Tallon craves skill, size in NHL Draft
"Panthers General Manager Dale Tallon is a firm member of the "3-S" club when it comes to the NHL Entry Draft: size, speed and skill. However, last year Tallon added plenty of size in his 13-player draft haul, including 6-foot-4, still-filling-out defenseman Erik Gudbranson at No. 3, as well as seven other picks 6-2 or taller and at least 190 pounds. So if push comes to shove, Tallon just may lean toward the skill side when he crosses the stage to meet this year's No. 3 selection at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn., Friday night. "Yes … we got lots of size coming, so we've just got to get the best players, that's at all positions,'' Tallon said via phone Monday afternoon. Two of"
Panthers sign well-traveled Kennedy to two-way deal
"The Florida Panthers signed forward Tim Kennedy to a one-year, two-way contract on Monday. "Tim is a young, skilled forward who we are pleased to have re-signed," said Panthers general manager Dale Tallon. "He has played for head coach Kevin Dineen in Portland and we look forward to Tim's continued development and growth within our organization." Kennedy only participated in six NHL games last season, all with Florida, after being acquired from the New York Rangers on February 26, picking up one assist."
Panthers eye center with top pick in NHL Draft
"Panthers director of scouting Scott Luce has logged thousands of miles over the last year in search of prospects who could help transform the struggling franchise into a winner. While the Stanley Cup finals ended Wednesday night, Luce's time to shine comes this Friday and Saturday at the 2011 NHL Entry Draft in Minneapolis. "I'm a little worn down, but anxious to get to the big dance and have some success,'' Luce said. "It's a very deep draft that may lack star power, but has a lot of potential quality NHL players.''"