Florida Panthers Axe TV Analyst Denis Potvin

For the first time in franchise history, the Florida Panthers' televised broadcasts will have a new face in the analyst's seat next season.

Earlier this week, the Panthers announced that Hall of Fame defenceman Denis Potvin has been removed as the broadcast team's TV analyst.

''I wasn't prepared for it,'' Potvin told the Miami Herald after being summoned for a meeting with Panthers management earlier on Wednesday.

"They had talked about (contract) renegotiating at a lower rate. We never got to that."

"It's been an exciting, good run. Once you're somewhere for so long, you think you're a lifer. But times are different now. Once they told me I was done, I walked out.''

Potvin is being replaced by former Panthers' forward Bill Lindsay.

Panthers President Michael Yormark said he was unaware of any discussions with Potvin about taking a pay cut.

He insisted the decision was not financially driven and that the team likes the idea of having a prominent former Panthers player in the TV booth.

''Denis does a great job, but we're looking for something different,'' Yormark said.

"Billy is one of the most popular players in the history of this franchise."

"He lives in the market, and that was very important to us. We want our broadcasters to live here 12 months a year.''

Potvin spends his summers at home in Canada, and Yormark admitted that it was one of the factors in making the decision to replace him.

Lindsay played with the Panthers from their inaugural season in 1993-94 until 1999. He returned to Florida for part of the 2001-02 season.

He became the team's radio analyst on 790 The Ticket, after he retired in 2007, and will join Steve Goldstein for 71 telecasts next season on Fox Sports Florida.

The Panthers have a contract with Fox Sports Florida that gives the team considerable influence over broadcast matters, including announcer selection.