from David J. Neal of the Miami Herald,
How appropriate: The general manager of the team hosting the 2015 NHL Draft next week says none of his team’s remaining unrestricted free agents will receive an offer and the roster will get younger next year.
And that team, the Panthers, will be searching for a swift, goal-scoring winger with the 11th overall pick in the annual pick-and-pray June 26 and 27 at BB&T Center in Sunrise.
“We’re going to go young and see what’s available July 1 [first day of the free agency signing period],” Panthers GM Dale Tallon said. “I like young teams, I like young players. We have some good young players in our system and we’re going to give them an opportunity. I think that’s the direction we need to go in. My goal is to have 20 guys on our team that are all drafts of ours. I don’t think that can happen, but that’s the goal.”
So, wingers Tomas Kopecky, Scottie Upshall and goalie Dan Ellis can intensify their searches for new hockey homes or new retirement homes. Tallon said the restricted free agents, such as Jonathan Huberdeau, will receive offers and they want to lock down their core in long-term deals such as the one they signed center Nick Bjugstad to late last season.
Meanwhile, they’ll continue searching for a goal-scorer to complete a Panthers talent garden showing signs of bearing fruit bountifully.
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