Tallon said getting Garrison and Versteeg back under contract is a priority.
“We want to keep the team together,'' Tallon said. “We're going to start talking to agents now and sign the guys we need to get signed. They want to be here and we want them here.''
With Tallon's leadership – he was the architect of the 2010 Stanley Cup champs in Chicago – the Panthers hope this becomes a destination point for free agents. Although the Panthers have money under the cap, Florida isn't expected to be in the running for big free agents such as New Jersey's Zach Parise or Nashville's Ryan Suter come July 1.