Rowe is a hockey lifer, a respected mind and gave Tallon his full and due respect. But it's clear something happened inside the team we don't know about, something that made Viola break with Tallon and side with Rowe. Something all about direction and philosophy, as these moves show.

A gamble? Absolutely. Tallon's personnel decisions stack up like gold bars. His core of talent, including Vincent Trocheck and Reilly Smith, who were on display with new deals Thursday, are why the Panthers will win for years.

Rowe's moves will decide how big they win.

For years, the Panthers had a series of owners who wouldn't spend money. Viola spent this off-season beyond what anyone imagined. That shows how much he wants to win.

His biggest move, though, was picking Rowe over Tallon. It was a hockey mind with new ideas over a hockey mind with a great eye for talent. These ideas will tell just how far $200 million will take this team.

-Dave Hyde of the SunSentinel where you can read more on the Panthers.