Florida Panthers: Free Agent and Coaching Outlook

The Florida Panthers are going into the offseason with some positives. First of all the Panthers recorded the most wins since it made the playoffs eight years ago.

Keeping the Core

Last year, during the offseason, Jacque Martin did a wonderful job of locking up some core players including Nathan Horton(six years, $4mill/yr), Stephen Weiss (six years, $3.1mill/yr) and Bryan Allen (five years, $2.9mill/yr).

Jacque plans to do the same this year, and has already locked up Kamil Kreps, who showed a vast improvement in his point production, as well as Wade Belak, who really made his physical presence known on the ice. Belak's new contract is (two years, 650,000/yr. Jacque has also signed a few players to entry-level contracts including Brady Calla, Luke Beaverson, and Keaton Ellerby.

Time is not on the Panthers side. The deadline for players drafted in the 2006 season to be signed falls on May 31 2008 or else those players are eligible to reenter the NHL Draft.

Two prospects the Panthers would like to have signed by that deadline is flashy Czech Michael Frolik, whom the Panthers drafted 10th overall in the first round of the 2006 draft and is a potential star in the NHL. Frolik recorded 138 points in 97 games with the QMJHL's Rimouski club over the last two years.

The second prospect is the Guelph Storm's defenseman Michael Caruso. He had a breakout year with 10 goals and 24 assists for 34 points. He was an OHL All- Star. Caruso also had a productive playoff, where he recorded two goals and six assists in only 10 games.

Now the other major signings that Martin needs to take care have a deadline that must be met before free agency begins on July 1. The biggest two are luckily restricted free agents: Rostislav Olesz and All-Star defenseman Jay Bouwmeester.

Rumours have been flying that Bouwmeester wants to be back in his home  of Alberta, but apparently Martin feels he will be able to sign the great defenseman. If the two are signed, expect Martin to make these long-term contracts. Martin loves Olesz's two-way abilities, so expect Olesz to get a contract around five years, $2-2.5 mill/yr while Bouwmeester should receive around five years, $6-7mill/yr.

Greg Campbell is another of Martin's favourites, because of his character and strong defensive play. Campbell has been the fourth center line the last two years and has done anything Martin has asked. Campbell will sign for a shorter term around two or three years at $850,000/yr.

Restricted free agent Garth Murray will only get signed on a two-way deal, as will Anthony Stewart, unless trade requests are put in, but those are very doubtful as neither has made a major contribution to the team.

The unrestricted free agents are on defense. Branislaz Mezei has been a liability for the Panthers for a while now; he will not be returning to the Panthers.

Steve Montador had a wonderful year, producing well above his normal self, but many don't think his contract will be extended because his asking price will be above the Panthers' purse.

Jasen Cullimore had a nice comeback year, leading the team with a +21 rating, so expect Cullimore to get a short-term contract under a million per year. Last of all is Magnus Johansson, the Swedish defenseman who really lit it up in the World Championships and showed the ability to quarterback the power play. Many are wondering is Johansson will stay, as power play quarterback Cory Murphy is still signed through next year.

Adding to the Team

Martin has addressed the need for a puck-moving defenseman. Expect the Panthers to go after John-Michael Liles of the Colorado Avalanche, who put up similar numbers to those of Mike Van Ryn.

In terms of adding forwards, the only forward expected to come to the club is OHL star Shawn Matthias, who has really taken the Junior hockey level by storm . He scored 79 points in only 53 games. In the Memorial Cup, he has four goals and one assist in only three games. Two of those goals were short-handed.

Coaching Carousel

Martin has looked at the following as candidates for next year's Panther team.

Fired coaches

Ron Wilson (San Jose)

Paul Maurice (Toronto)

Joel Quenneville (Colorado) 

Former coaches

Pat Quinn (Toronto)

Pat Burns (New Jersey)

Bob Hartley (Colorado and Atlanta)

Assistant coaches

Perry Pearn (New York Rangers)

Andre Savard(Pittsburgh)

Randy Cunneyworth of the Rochester Americans is also expected to get serious consideration for the job.

Martin has announced no time frame to sign a coach. It could be tomorrow or it could be July. Still, you can expect him to work hard at signing Frolik, Caruso, Bouwmeester and Olesz as soon as possible.