from Nicholas J. Cotsonika of NHL.com,

The Florida Panthers received a message from general manager Dale Tallon when they reported to training camp Thursday.

"Let's stop talking and start acting," he said. " 'Oh, yeah. Great summer. Great summer.' Well, now we have to prove it."...

Owner Vincent Viola has made a major investment, spending close to the $81.5 million NHL salary cap, to put pieces around the young, talented core. The Panthers have made the Stanley Cup Playoffs five times in 25 seasons, including once in the past seven, and ranked 30th in average home attendance last season at 13,261.

"He doubled down," Panthers president Matt Caldwell said. "I think he's been spending a lot as it is, and then he got to a point where he's like, 'We're kind of on the fringe. We've got to take the next big step.' "

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