Tallon and coach Kevin Dineen have both made it clear that of those 10 players with expiring contracts, their priority signings are forward Kris Versteeg, defenseman Jason Garrison and possibly veteran forward Mikael Samuelsson.

És a többi hét játékos:

Marco Sturm, LW, 34, $2.225 millon

A concussion limited his production (5 points in 42 games) and although a heady player with penalty-kill skills, the Panthers will need his roster spot for younger talent.



Krys Barch, RW, 32, $850,000

An excellent midseason addition who added much-needed toughness to the fourth line to serve as protection to frail skilled forwards. Also displayed surprising puck-possessions skills. Tough call.


Scott Clemmensen, G, 35, $1.5 million

Perfect backup coming off second-best season of career while proving he can carry a team on a short-term basis. However, the net may be too crowded with Jose Theodore signed for one more year and Markstrom ready for the show.

John Madden, C, 39, $600,000

Once he got in game-shape proved his value on the penalty kill and in the faceoff circle, however, the Panthers added a bigger, younger version in Jerred Smithson, so it's unlikely he will return.



Dmitry Kulikov; D, 21, $900,000

Despite missing 24 games due to a knee injury notched career-high 28 points. Needs to clean up careless turnovers but his upside is too stratospheric not to tie up to long-term deal.


Keaton Ellerby, D, 23, $787,500

Proved he's an NHL-caliber blue-liner when filling in for Ed Jovanovski; however, with Robak and Petrovic on the horizon, he may have to blossom elsewhere.


Wotjek Wolski, RW, 26, $4 million

Acquired for extraordinary shootout skills and it paid off; while he has offensive skills the Panthers sorely lack his defensive indifference had him in Dineen's doghouse.