-- Tallon said assistant general manager Mike Santos has taken over the negotiations with the agent for restricted free agent Dmitry Kulikov. "Mike is really good at what he does,'' Tallon said. "I'm sure he'll get him done.'' Well, he didn't get Garrison done.

If he sticks to his guns about not negotiating during the season, Panthers HAVE TO TRADE HIM. It's not a question whether he wants to stay here or not, very likely he does, or whether the team will likely go the extra mile to keep him, very likely they will, it's the offers he will generate as a UFA which will very likely be way over what the Panthers are willing and/or justified to give Weiss. Is Stephen Weiss worth the $7mil plus a year contract he will get on the open market? No. Would he be willing to take $1.5mil to $2 mil a year less to remain a Panther? Extremely doubtful as that would be asking a lot from the most loyal of players. Should the Panthers gamble on that loyalty and pray he spurns much more tempting offers he will receive? I think not. Not when Steve's home team is Toronto and the Leafs will offer him a ridiculous contract.

All that one needs to know about this game is right here in this video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=MnuuCVSeZ4g

They would hold onto his rights if they pay him $4 million dollars, otherwise he becomes a UFA. As I said other places, a no harm, no foul trade with my only beef being if Dale Tallon is so willing to throw a million bucks around he could just as easily throw some my way!!!

So what Dallas Asst.Coach are the Dolphins going to hire since no one else would want to coach with Ireland as GM.

Ah oh!

Honestly, with all the new players one doesn't know how the Panthers will come together this season so I can't be offended by THN prediction. The only prediction you should take to the bank is this coming Panther season will be very interesting.

I vote for a parade down Sunset Strip in downtown Sunrise with ticker tape being thrown from the city center's skyscrapers...Oh, wait?

Wondering if the Panthers could trade the rights to Gudbranson for a top forward, Carter or Spezza or Sharp, then draft Larsson at #3. He very well might be there at three, might be the best player in this draft but unless the Cats deal Guds or an Ellerby or less likely a Kulikov, he wouldn't fill a need as the Cats have used their last 3 first rounders on blueliners.