HELLO, SCOTT GOMEZ: Panthers Sign Veteran Center to Inexpensive Contract

TWITTER @GeorgeRichards

The Panthers slow offseason picked up a touch on Wednesday as the team signed veteran center Scott Gomez to a one-year deal worth $900,000.

A two-time Stanley Cup champ with New Jersey, Gomez is expected to be a bottom-six forward for the Panthers as his offensive production has slowed over the past three seasons.

Gomez scored a career-high 33 goals with 84 points with the Devils in 2005-06, yet never scored 20 goals in any other season during his career. Gomez averaged 16 goals and 47 assists in his first 10 NHL seasons with the Devils, Rangers and Canadiens.

In his past three seasons, however, Gomez has averaged just four goals and 16 assists.

Last season, Montreal bought out the final two years of the seven-year, $51.5 million deal Gomez signed with the Rangers in 2007.

Gomez scored two goals with San Jose in 39 games in last year's lockout-shortened season. Gomez has eight goals with 27 assists in 43 games against the Panthers over his 13-year NHL career.

The Panthers will hold rookie camp starting Sept. 4 with training camp opening a week later.

HONORING THE PAST: Florida Panthers to Celebrate 20th Anniversary Season

TWITTER: @GeorgeRichards

The Panthers plan on bringing back a few of their esteemed alumni during this 20th anniversary season.

At least five of these players will be honored during a game with the possibility -- so I've heard -- of bobbleheads in their likeness given away at whichever game is selected.

Since we know John Vanbiesbrouck and Pavel Bure are locks to be part of this, I'm wondering who else you think should be involved.

Scott Mellanby, Brian Skrudland and Paul Laus are names that came to my mind.

But what about players such as Ed Jovanovski (even though he is still active)? How about Olli Jokinen or Stephen Weiss?

I would like to see an Eddie Belfour night so he could decline to speak to reporters at the event. But that's just me being selfish.

Feel free to comment below with who you would like to see the Panthers should honor.

2013-14 PANTHERS SCHEDULE FINALIZED: Kevin Dineen Likes Schedule Despite its Challenges

TWITTER: @GeorgeRichards

The Panthers will begin celebrating their 20th anniversary season Oct. 3 when Florida kicks off a four-game road trip in Dallas.

Florida will then visit St. Louis, Philadelphia and Tampa Bay before playing their home opener against Pittsburgh on Oct. 11.

The Panthers plan on having a "throwback night" in their home opener as the Penguins were Florida's first opponent at Miami Arena on Oct. 12, 1993. Florida could also have retro games against Anaheim -- which entered the league with the Panthers in 1993.

"I'm happy with the way things played out,'' coach Kevin Dineen said. "I love the idea of starting the season on the road. I think it's a good thing for our team. .-.-. There's a good break between our last preseason game (Sept. 28) and our first regular season game. Then we get on the road for some quality time together."

The new schedule features four divisions instead of six with each team in the league playing each other at least twice -- once home and once away.

For the Panthers, the Southeast Division is now a memory. Florida and the cross-state rival Lightning remain together in a new Atlantic Division made up of mostly northeastern teams.

Florida and Tampa Bay will compete against Buffalo, Detroit, Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto and Boston -- with 30 of its 82 games this season coming within the division. The Panthers and Lightning were part of the old Atlantic Division when both teams began play.

The Panthers will play other Eastern Conference teams -- which now includes Columbus -- at least twice this season. Detroit, which the Panthers will play five times, also moves over from the Western Conference.

Florida will also play Boston five times (twice at home) with four games against the other five teams within the division.

"We're positioned with a lot of quality hockey teams,'' Dineen said. "I love the idea of playing in Canada. This is our situation, the division we're in. There will be some real challenges with our travel. But we have some pretty juicy stretches at home we can take advantage of as well.''

This year's schedule also includes an almost three-week long break as the NHL shuts down so its players can compete in the Sochi Games in Russia. Florida visits Carolina on Feb. 7 before resuming Feb. 27 against Washington.

Because of the midseason break, there will be no All-Star weekend this season. Columbus, which was supposed to hold the All-Star Game last January before it got cancelled because of the lockout, is expected to host the event in 2015.

The lengthy break (due to travel) will also cause teams to have to play a few more back-to-back games. The Panthers will play 14 sets of such games -- with only one set coming on consecutive home nights.

A whopping 18 of Florida's back-to-back games (22 percent of the schedule) will be exclusively road games.

"I come from the American Hockey League where there are a lot of three [games] in three [nights],'' Dineen said. "I understand the challenges of back-to-back games. .-.-. I can assure you there won't be many skates on those back-to-backs. I want our energy saved for the games.''

Here are some other the highlights of Florida's 2013-14 schedule:

-- The longest homestand of the season is six games with Boston, Minnesota, Chicago, Buffalo, Tampa Bay and St. Louis coming to Sunrise from Oct. 17-Nov. 1.

Florida has three homestands consisting of five games each -- including one to close out the regular season.

-- Florida's longest road trip will be a eight-day affair as the Panthers visit Minnesota, Colorado, Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary from Nov. 15-22. The Panthers also have four different four-game trips during the season.

-- With the Panthers having to visit all western teams at least once, Florida will have two trips to the west coast. The Panthers first western swing comes in November during the five-game swing; Florida then visits San Jose, Phoenix, Los Angeles and Anaheim from March 18-23.

"I'm happy about that; they're not only split up but laid out well,'' Dineen said. "I like being able to play a game in every city. I think that's the way it should be set up. It is a challenge from where we are located.''

-- As usual, the Panthers are home during the winter holidays when there are plenty of tourists in South Florida. The Panthers have a five-game homestand during Thanksgiving week, with Philadelphia, the Rangers, Pittsburgh, Ottawa and Winnipeg coming to town.

Florida will also be home for Christmas, with Tampa Bay coming on Dec. 23. The Wings play here on Dec. 28 with Montreal (Dec. 29), New York (New Year's Eve at 5 p.m.) and Nashville (Jan. 4) also in Sunrise.

"That's a great tradition,'' Dineen said.

-- Florida visits Stephen Weiss and the Red Wings for the first time on Dec. 7. Weiss' Sunrise Homecoming will be three days later on Dec. 10.

The Panthers allowed Weiss, the franchise's all-time leader in games played, to walk as a free agent. Weiss signed a five-year deal with Detroit on July 5.

"I think it will be pretty emotional for Stephen,'' Dineen said. "He's a guy who enjoyed his time in Florida. I think the relationship couldn't have ended any better than it did. There was mutual respect on both sides. That's never an easy game to play. We wish him well on a personal level - except in the games in which we are playing him.''

-- The defending Stanley Cup champion Blackhawks visit Sunrise on Oct. 22.

2013-14 Florida Panthers Schedule
ALL TIMES EASTERN

October
Thu. 3 @ Dallas 8:30 p.m.
Sat. 5 @ St. Louis 8 p.m.
Tue. 8 @ Philadelphia 7 p.m.
Thu. 10 @ Tampa Bay 7:30 p.m.
Fri. 11 vs. Pittsburgh 7:30 p.m.
Sun. 13 vs. Los Angeles 3 p.m.
Tue. 15 @ Nashville 8 p.m.
Thu. 17 vs. Boston 7:30 p.m.
Sat. 19 vs. Minnesota 7 p.m.
Tue. 22 vs. Chicago 7:30 p.m.
Fri. 25 vs. Buffalo 7:30 p.m.
Sun. 27 vs. Tampa Bay 5 p.m.

November
Fri. 1 vs. St. Louis 7:30 p.m.
Sat. 2 @ Washington 7 p.m.
Tue. 5 vs. Edmonton 7:30 p.m.
Thu. 7 @ Boston 7 p.m.
Sat. 9 @ Ottawa 2 p.m.
Sun. 10 @ N.Y. Rangers 7 p.m.
Tue. 12 vs. Anaheim 7:30 p.m.
Fri. 15 @ Minnesota 8 p.m.
Sat. 16 @ Colorado 9 p.m.
Tue. 19 @ Vancouver 10 p.m.
Thu. 21 @ Edmonton 10:30 p.m.
Fri. 22 @ Calgary 9 p.m.
Mon. 25 vs. Philadelphia 7:30 p.m.
Wed. 27 vs. N.Y. Rangers 7:30 p.m.
Sat. 30 vs. Pittsburgh 7 p.m.

December
Tue. 3 vs. Ottawa 7:30 p.m.
Thu. 5 vs. Winnipeg 7:30 p.m.
Sat. 7 @ Detroit 7 p.m.
Sun. 8 @ Chicago 7 p.m.
Tue. 10 vs. Detroit 7:30 p.m.
Fri. 13 vs. Washington 7:30 p.m.
Sun. 15 @ Montreal 6 p.m.
Tue. 17 @ Toronto 7 p.m.
Thu. 19 @ Ottawa 7:30 p.m.
Fri. 20 @ Winnipeg 8 p.m.
Mon. 23 vs. Tampa Bay 7:30 p.m.
Sat. 28 vs. Detroit 7 p.m.
Sun. 29 vs. Montreal 5 p.m.
Tue. 31 vs. N.Y. Rangers 5 p.m.

January
Sat. 4 vs. Nashville 7 p.m.
Mon. 6 @ Montreal 7:30 p.m.
Thu. 9 @ Buffalo 7 p.m.
Sat. 11 @ New Jersey 7 p.m.
Tue. 14 vs. N.Y. Islanders 7:30 p.m.
Thu. 16 vs. San Jose 7:30 p.m.
Sat. 18 @ Carolina 7 p.m.
Mon. 20 @ Pittsburgh 7 p.m.
Tue. 21 @ Buffalo 7 p.m.
Fri. 24 vs. Colorado 7:30 p.m.
Sun. 26 @ Detroit 5 p.m.
Tue. 28 @ Boston 7 p.m.
Thu. 30 @ Toronto 7 p.m.

February
Sat. 1 @ Columbus 7 p.m.
Tue. 4 vs. Toronto 7:30 p.m.
Thu. 6 vs. Detroit 7:30 p.m.
Fri. 7 @ Carolina 7 p.m.
Thu. 27 vs. Washington 7:30 p.m.

March
Sat. 1 @ Columbus 2 p.m.
Sun. 2 @ N.Y. Islanders 1 p.m.
Tue. 4 @ Boston 7 p.m.
Fri. 7 vs. Buffalo 7:30 p.m.
Sun. 9 vs. Boston 5 p.m.
Tue. 11 vs. Phoenix 7:30 p.m.
Thu. 13 @ Tampa Bay 7:30 p.m.
Fri. 14 vs. New Jersey 7:30 p.m.
Sun. 16 vs. Vancouver 3 p.m.
Tue. 18 @ San Jose 10:30 p.m.
Thu. 20 @ Phoenix 10 p.m.
Sat. 22 @ Los Angeles 4 p.m.
Sun. 23 @ Anaheim 8 p.m.
Tue. 25 vs. Ottawa 7:30 p.m.
Thu. 27 vs. Carolina 7:30 p.m.
Sat. 29 vs. Montreal 7 p.m.
Mon. 31 @ New Jersey 7:30 p.m.

April
Tue. 1 @ N.Y. Islanders 7 p.m.
Fri. 4 vs. Calgary 7:30 p.m.
Sun. 6 vs. Dallas 5 p.m.
Tue. 8 vs. Philadelphia 7:30 p.m.
Thu. 10 vs. Toronto 7:30 p.m.
Sat. 12 vs. Columbus 7 p.m.

2013-14 SCHEDULE: Florida Panthers in Revamped Atlantic Division

The Panthers, which return to the Atlantic Division where they started out in 1993, will open on the road against Dallas on Oct. 3 and open at home on Oct. 11 against the Penguins.

Please see my post below for all the breakdowns of the schedule. The leaked schedule from Wednesday was right on.

ALL TIMES EASTERN
ALL DATES & TIMES SUBJECT TO CHANGE

October
Thu. 3 @ Dallas 8:30 p.m.
Sat. 5 @ St. Louis 8 p.m.
Tue. 8 @ Philadelphia 7 p.m.
Thu. 10 @ Tampa Bay 7:30 p.m.
Fri. 11 vs. Pittsburgh 7:30 p.m.
Sun. 13 vs. Los Angeles 3 p.m.
Tue. 15 @ Nashville 8 p.m.
Thu. 17 vs. Boston 7:30 p.m.
Sat. 19 vs. Minnesota 7 p.m.
Tue. 22 vs. Chicago 7:30 p.m.
Fri. 25 vs. Buffalo 7:30 p.m.
Sun. 27 vs. Tampa Bay 5 p.m.

November
Fri. 1 vs. St. Louis 7:30 p.m.
Sat. 2 @ Washington 7 p.m.
Tue. 5 vs. Edmonton 7:30 p.m.
Thu. 7 @ Boston 7 p.m.
Sat. 9 @ Ottawa 2 p.m.
Sun. 10 @ N.Y. Rangers 7 p.m.
Tue. 12 vs. Anaheim 7:30 p.m.
Fri. 15 @ Minnesota 8 p.m.
Sat. 16 @ Colorado 9 p.m.
Tue. 19 @ Vancouver 10 p.m.
Thu. 21 @ Edmonton 10:30 p.m.
Fri. 22 @ Calgary 9 p.m.
Mon. 25 vs. Philadelphia 7:30 p.m.
Wed. 27 vs. N.Y. Rangers 7:30 p.m.
Sat. 30 vs. Pittsburgh 7 p.m.

December
Tue. 3 vs. Ottawa 7:30 p.m.
Thu. 5 vs. Winnipeg 7:30 p.m.
Sat. 7 @ Detroit 7 p.m.
Sun. 8 @ Chicago 7 p.m.
Tue. 10 vs. Detroit 7:30 p.m.
Fri. 13 vs. Washington 7:30 p.m.
Sun. 15 @ Montreal 6 p.m.
Tue. 17 @ Toronto 7 p.m.
Thu. 19 @ Ottawa 7:30 p.m.
Fri. 20 @ Winnipeg 8 p.m.
Mon. 23 vs. Tampa Bay 7:30 p.m.
Sat. 28 vs. Detroit 7 p.m.
Sun. 29 vs. Montreal 5 p.m.
Tue. 31 vs. N.Y. Rangers 5 p.m.

January
Sat. 4 vs. Nashville 7 p.m.
Mon. 6 @ Montreal 7:30 p.m.
Thu. 9 @ Buffalo 7 p.m.
Sat. 11 @ New Jersey 7 p.m.
Tue. 14 vs. N.Y. Islanders 7:30 p.m.
Thu. 16 vs. San Jose 7:30 p.m.
Sat. 18 @ Carolina 7 p.m.
Mon. 20 @ Pittsburgh 7 p.m.
Tue. 21 @ Buffalo 7 p.m.
Fri. 24 vs. Colorado 7:30 p.m.
Sun. 26 @ Detroit 5 p.m.
Tue. 28 @ Boston 7 p.m.
Thu. 30 @ Toronto 7 p.m.

February
Sat. 1 @ Columbus 7 p.m.
Tue. 4 vs. Toronto 7:30 p.m.
Thu. 6 vs. Detroit 7:30 p.m.
Fri. 7 @ Carolina 7 p.m.
Thu. 27 vs. Washington 7:30 p.m.

March
Sat. 1 @ Columbus 2 p.m.
Sun. 2 @ N.Y. Islanders 1 p.m.
Tue. 4 @ Boston 7 p.m.
Fri. 7 vs. Buffalo 7:30 p.m.
Sun. 9 vs. Boston 5 p.m.
Tue. 11 vs. Phoenix 7:30 p.m.
Thu. 13 @ Tampa Bay 7:30 p.m.
Fri. 14 vs. New Jersey 7:30 p.m.
Sun. 16 vs. Vancouver 3 p.m.
Tue. 18 @ San Jose 10:30 p.m.
Thu. 20 @ Phoenix 10 p.m.
Sat. 22 @ Los Angeles 4 p.m.
Sun. 23 @ Anaheim 8 p.m.
Tue. 25 vs. Ottawa 7:30 p.m.
Thu. 27 vs. Carolina 7:30 p.m.
Sat. 29 vs. Montreal 7 p.m.
Mon. 31 @ New Jersey 7:30 p.m.

April
Tue. 1 @ N.Y. Islanders 7 p.m.
Fri. 4 vs. Calgary 7:30 p.m.
Sun. 6 vs. Dallas 5 p.m.
Tue. 8 vs. Philadelphia 7:30 p.m.
Thu. 10 vs. Toronto 7:30 p.m.
Sat. 12 vs. Columbus 7 p.m.

EARLY LEAK: Is This the Florida Panthers 2013-14 Schedule?

TWITTER: @GeorgeRichards

I received what looks to be a copy of the Florida Panthers' 2013-14 schedule from @xxStein13xx off Twitter today.

Although the Panthers say they haven't recieved a final schedule from the league, this one looks like it could be close to what we're going to see.

And what do we see?

Well, the Panthers will begin celebrating their 20th anniversary season starting Oct. 3 when Florida kicks off a four-game road trip in Dallas. The Panthers will then visit St. Louis, Philadelphia and Tampa Bay before playing their home opener against Pittsburgh on Oct. 11.

Not only is there four divisions instead of six, but each team in the league will play every team at least twice -- once home and once away.

For the Panthers, the Southeast Division is now a memory. Florida and the cross-state rival Lightning remain together in a new division (one still without a name) which is made up of mostly northeastern teams.

Florida and Tampa Bay will compete against Buffalo, Detroit, Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto and Boston -- with 30 of its 82 games this season coming within the division.

The Panthers will play other Eastern Conference teams -- which now includes Columbus -- at least twice this season. Detroit, which the Panthers will play five times, also moves over from the Western Conference.

Florida will also play Boston five times (twice at home) with four games against the other five teams within the division.

This year's schedule also includes a 20 day break as the NHL shuts down so its players can compete in the Socchi Games in Russia. Florida would visit Carolina on Feb. 7 before resuming Feb. 27 against Washington.

Because of the midseason break, there will be no All-Star weekend this season. Columbus, which was supposed to hold the All-Star Game last season before it got cancelled because of the lockout, is expected to host the event in 2015.

The nearly three--week break will also cause teams to have to play a few more back-to-back games. The Panthers will play 14 sets of such games -- with only one set coming on consecutive home nights.

A whopping 18 of Florida's back-to-back games will be exclusively road games.

Here are some other the highlights of Florida's 2013-14 schedule:

-- The longest homestand of the season is six games with Boston, Minnesota, Chicago, Buffalo, Tampa Bay and St. Louis coming to Sunrise from Oct. 17-Nov. 1. Florida has three homestands of five games -- including to close out the regular season.

-- Florida's longest road trip will be a eight-day affair as the Panthers visit Minnesota, Colorado, Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary from Nov. 15-22. The Panthers also have four different four-game trips during the season.

-- With the Panthers having to visit all western teams at least once, Florida will have a few trips out to the west coast. The Panthers first western swing comes in November during the five-game swing; Florida then visits San Jose, Phoenix, Los Angeles and Anaheim from March 18-23.

-- As usual, the Panthers are home during the winter holidays when there are plenty of tourists in South Florida. The Panthers have a five-game homestand during Thanksgiving week, with Philadelphia, the Rangers, Pittsburgh, Ottawa and Winnipeg coming to town.

Florida will also be home for Christmas, with Tampa Bay coming on Dec. 23. The Wings play here on Dec. 28 with Montreal (Dec. 29), New York (New Year's Eve at 5 p.m.) and Nashville (Jan. 4) also in Sunrise.

-- The Panthers will visit Stephen Weiss and the Red Wings for the first time on Dec. 7. Weiss' Sunrise Homecoming will be three days later on Dec. 10.

-- The defending Stanley Cup champion Blackhawks visit Sunrise on Oct. 22.

-- When the Panthers and the league officially release the schedule, I will post it here on a separate entry. I will also have comments on the schedule from coach Kevin Dineen as well as team president Michael Yormark.

PANTHERS PRESEASON: Florida Plays Seven Exhibition Games, Five within Sunshine State

TWITTER: @GeorgeRichards

The Panthers will play seven preseason games in September yet will only leave the Sunshine State for two of them.

Florida will open its exhibition slate with a double-header against Nashville at BB&T Center in Sunrise on Sept. 16. The Panthers and Predators will play the first game at 2:30 p.m. with the second scheduled to start at 7.

The Panthers will then travel to Texas for a pair of games against the Stars; the first game (Sept. 18) will be at AmericanAirlines Center in Dallas. The second will be at San Antonio's AT&T Center -- the home of the San Antonio Spurs as well as the Panthers' AHL affiliate Rampage.

The final three preseason games will be against divisional rival Tampa Bay. The first game will be in Tampa on Sept. 21. The second will be played off I-75 in Estero on Sept. 26 and the final game will be in Sunrise on Sept. 28. The regular season is expected to begin the following week.

The Panthers will host their rookie camp in Coral Springs starting Sept. 4 with the full training camp kicking off Sept. 11.

PANTHERS PRESEASON

Sept. 4: Start of rookie camp, Coral Springs
Sept. 11: Start of training camp
Sept. 16: vs. Nashville (doubleheader, 2:30/7 p.m.)
Sept. 18: at Dallas
Sept. 20: vs. Dallas (San Antonio)
Sept. 21: at Tampa Bay
Sept. 26: vs. Tampa Bay (Estero, Fla.)
Sept. 28: vs. Tampa Bay
Oct. 3-5: Probable start of regular season

MARKSTROM RESIGNS: Panthers Goalie Gets Two-Year Deal

TWITTER: @GeorgeRichards

The Panthers negotiations with goalie Jacob Markstrom weren't as contentious as some were led to believe as he was signed to a two-year deal on Monday.

Markstrom, 23, will be under a two-way provision in the first year of the contract. His second season will be a one-way deal.

"This is the deal that works for both sides,'' assistant general manager Mike Santos said. "Jacob is, obviously, still a top prospect. As a goaltender sometimes it takes a little longer to develop. I think this was the right deal for him and for us. He's by no means the complete goaltender we hope he will be someday. But, again, he's young.''

Markstrom, a second round pick in 2008, became the Panthers starting goalie last season after Scott Clemmensen struggled and Jose Theodore tore his groin March 2 in Carolina.

"We were forced into that situation last year because of the injury,'' Santos said. "He was thrown into a tough situation. Given the time he came up and all the injuries we had in the short season, I think it was difficult to expect him to come in and play to the best of his abilities.''

Santos said he expects a starting goalie to emerge during training camp and that Markstrom won't be handed the job. That said, the Panthers likely aren't looking for another goalie to come in although that could change.

Santos said he hasn't spoken to Theodore, a free agent, since the end of last season. Theodore said he wanted to come back to the Panthers although that doesn't appear to be a likelihood.

Markstrom wrote he was excited to sign and "can't wait for the season to start!" on his Twitter account on Monday afternoon moments after Santos officially broke the news of the signing.

PHOTO BY JOE RIMKUS JR./Miami Herald Staff

BARKOV SIGNS: Panthers Rookie Aleksander Barkov Signs ELC

TWITTER: @GeorgeRichards

Moments after being taken by the Panthers with the second pick in the NHL draft last month, Aleksander 'Sasha' Barkov said his plan was to play in Florida this season.

Barkov took a step toward that on Monday by signing his first contract with the team, a three-year entry level deal.

After scoring 21 goals with 27 assists in 53 games in the Finnish elite league over the past two seasons, there really is nothing left for Barkov to prove in Europe. He's going to get his chance with the Panthers in a few months.

Rookie camp, which Barkov is expected to participate in, will be held Sept. 4. Training camp begins Sept. 11 in Coral Springs.

With Barkov in the fold, the Panthers will be younger than they were at the start of last season.

Barkov is expected to not only join recent top draft picks Jonathan Huberdeau (20-years-old) and Erik Gudbranson (21) in the Panthers' lineup, but Alex Petrovic (21) and Nick Bjugstad (20) as well.

Veterans Ed Jovanovski (hip) and Kris Versteeg (knee) are coming off surgery and expected to miss at least the beginning of the season. Those injuries could open the door for the likes of Vincent Trocheck and Colby Robak.

Barkov is back in his native Finland after attending Florida's developmental camp last week. Although he couldn't participate in on-ice drills after having shoulder surgery last March, Barkov was able to assimilate himself a little better within South Florida and the organization.

Before coming to Panthers camp, Barkov had never visited Florida.

When asked what he had heard about Florida, Barkov mentioned "much sun, good beaches and warm weather.''

Come training camp, Barkov is going to be asked to help a Florida team that ranked tied for last in the league in goals and last in penalty kill percentage. A big forward who is good in the faceoff circle, Barkov is expected to play alongside Huberdeau at least from the start.

Huberdeau was the league's rookie of the year last season despite playing on a last-place team.

Barkov being on the roster will also help Florida's bottom line as his base salary with his signing bonus will be just over $1 million. Because various performance bonuses, however, his cap hit is worth $3.575 million.

With three former top-end draft picks on the roster, Florida will get over $10 million counting against the cap but could pay out as little as $3.025 million. That inflated number would help keep the Panthers above the mandated salary cap floor if veteran players were to be moved in the future.

After signing Barkov, the Panthers' salary cap number is close to $55 million -- including the rookie contracts signed by Barkov, Huberdeau and Gudbranson. Florida's estimated maximum performance bonus number is close to $8 million.

Triggers for performance bonuses include goals scored (20 for forwards, 10 for defensemen) as well as assists (35/25) and ice time averages.

The Panthers, actually, think Barkov is good enough to hit at least some of those bonus numbers. If he does, it will be worth the money.

"We're going to have a big, fast team,'' general manager Dale Tallon said at the draft.

"[Barkov] feels he is ready. He has a quiet confidence. He has size and skill and makes players around him better. He's extremely smart and sees the ice very well. That's what you need.''

ANOTHER YOUTH MOVEMENT: Dale Tallon Says Florida Panthers "Going Young"

TWITTER: @GeorgeRichards

A few minutes after Stephen Weiss talked about centering a line in Detroit that features Stanley Cup champs Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk, his former general manager said the Florida Panthers were going the opposite direction of veteran-led teams like the Red Wings.

"We're going to go young. Going to go with our young guys,'' Dale Tallon said after Weiss left the Panthers after more than a decade and signed a five-year deal worth almost $25 million in Detroit.

"That's been the plan all along and that's the way we're going to go.''

The Panthers are headed to a new division this season, one that includes Weiss' Red Wings as well as the defending east champion Bruins, Montreal, Ottawa, Buffalo, Toronto and Tampa Bay.

Florida goes into that big-money division handcuffed by an internal budget which will keep it closer to the salary cap floor which is around $44 million.

By signing Shawn Matthias on Friday and adding forward Joey Crabb, the Panthers current salary cap hit is about $47 million. The Panthers also shed close to a $1 million by sending enforcer George Parros to Montreal for a minor leaguer and a seventh round draft pick.

The big news around the Panthers, however, was the loss of Weiss and the lack of any free agent action. Tallon reiterated what he said on Tuesday that the Panthers would sign some free agents as the summer rolls on.

"It just didn't work. We couldn't get it done,'' Tallon said of the Weiss negotiations. "It didn't fit in. You know, it's not very often you get into this position to be an unrestricted free agent. I don't blame Stephen one bit. I'm happy for him. He's deserving of it. We have to move on."

For Weiss, leaving the only franchise he has ever known was a bit bittersweet. The Red Wings are a team built to compete for championships and were a win away from knocking off the eventual Stanley Cup champs out in the west semifinals.

Not only did the Red Wings find their second-line center in Weiss on Friday, but they also snapped up Ottawa captain Daniel Alfredsson.

"Coming from Florida, only being in the playoffs one time, it was pretty easy decision to come and play for the Red Wings," Weiss said on a conference call with Alfredsson.

"It’s been a culture of winning over the years. Their goal every year is to win a Stanley Cup and to come to a team and be a part of that is really exciting. I’m thrilled to be given this opportunity to come to this team.”

The Panthers made some minor depth moves and replaced Parros on the fourth line by giving winger Joey Crabb a two-year deal. Florida also signed Matthias, a restricted free agent, a two-year deal worth $1.8 million per season.

"Everyone knows that Stephen and I are pretty close,'' Matthias said of Weiss. "He's a special guy who was here a long time and really cared about the Panthers. I'm sure this is a tough day for him.''

STEPHEN WEISS: Leaves Florida Panthers for Five Year Deal in Detroit

TWITTER: @GeorgeRichards

The Panthers watched teams with money to spend snap up some of the top free agents once the market opened at noontime Friday.

As expected, even one of their own moved on.

Stephen Weiss, the franchise leader in games played, signed a five-year deal worth close to $5 million per season with the Detroit Red Wings.

Weiss' signing will be secondary news in Detroit as the team also lifted Sens' captain Daniel Alfredsson.

Panthers general manager Dale Tallon said as late as Tuesday that the team was working to keep Weiss in South Florida.

It is unknown how far apart the two sides were, although since Weiss made $4.1 million in real money last year (well, he didn't because of the lockout), a 10 percent raise would have brought him to $4.5 million per season at least.

It's not known to me right now how much the Panthers offered -- and if they made a legitimate offer at all.

The Panthers did make a couple of minor moves, bringing in two players who have some NHL experience and both spent time in the AHL last year.

Defenseman Mike Mottau, 35, has played in 313 NHL games dating to 2000; he spent last season with San Antonio and the Toronto Marlies of the AHL.

Winger Joey Crabb, 30, has played in 170 NHL games dating to 2008. He recorded NHL career bests in goals (11), assists (15) and points (26) in 67 games played with Toronto during the 2011-12 season. He spent last year with Washington and Hershey.

SHAKE UP IN SAN ANTON: Peter Horachek Takes Over Rampage; Chuck Weber Stays With Team

TWITTER: @GeorgeRichards

Assistant general manager Mike Santos said when Peter Horachek called and said he had been let go after almost a decade as an assistant in Nashville that he all but offered him a job with the Panthers.

It took a little bit of restructuring, but Horachek is now with Florida as head coach of the team's American Hockey League team in San Antonio.

Horachek, former head coach of the Orlando Solar Bears of the defunct IHL as well as the Trenton, N.J., Thunder of the ECHL and AHL Milwaukee, replaces Chuck Weber behind the Rampage bench.

Well, sort of.

Weber, who worked with Horachek in Orlando, Trenton and Milwaukee, remains with the organization as an assistant coach of the Rampage. Weber also becomes director of hockey operations.

Horachek, 53, definitely has ambitions to be a head coach in the NHL and thought being an NHL assistant would help him achieve that. Horachek has been interviewed for NHL jobs recently -- including by the Panthers in 2011. Florida went with current coach Kevin Dineen, who is in the final year of his contract.

"I think, after 10 years of being an assistant in Nashville, it's time for me to be a head coach again,'' said Horachek, who led Orlando to the IHL Turner Cup in 2001.

"I think that's something I do well, working with young players and helping them prepare to be a good pro and prepare for the NHL. I'm familiar with Mike, with Chuck, and I think it's a great setup in San Antonio. There's a lot of good things going on.''

Both Horachek and Weber are expected to be part of the Panthers' development camp in Coral Springs starting Monday. Although still recovering from shoulder surgery, second-overall pick Sasha Barkov will skate at the camp.

"He won't partake in the drills,'' Tallon said, "but we'd like to get him down here to indoctrinated to our staff and the place. These are players he will play with eventually.''

PANTHERS OFFER DEALS: Florida Tenders Markstrom and Matthias; Don't for Skille and Mueller

TWITTER: @GeorgeRichards

The Panthers began their summer on Tuesday by officially offering contracts to restricted free agents Jacob Markstrom, Shawn Matthias and four others.

Florida did not tender offers to center Peter Mueller nor fourth-line winger Jack Skille. Although general manager Dale Tallon said the team would like to retain Mueller at the right price, Skille will not return.

The Panthers also tendered deals to Scott Timmins, Mike Caruso, Colby Robak and Jon Rheault.

"He has arbitration rights,'' Tallon said of Mueller, who made $1.725 million last year and scored eight goals and 17 points in 43 games.

"We're still negotiating with him and would like to keep him. It's just what the right price is as far as our budget is concerned. We're fearful if he went to arbitration, we might be be able to afford it.''

Tallon made Skille the seventh overall pick of the 2005 draft while with Chicago before bringing him to Florida in exchange for Michael Frolik in 2011. Frolik was traded from Chicago to Winnipeg on Sunday.

"I think for Jack, it's time to change things around,'' Tallon said of Skille, who had three goals and 12 points in 40 games last year. "We can't sit still as a team that was last overall. We need to make some changes, have to shake things up.''

Although Markstrom and Matthias remain property of the Panthers, they have not signed with the team.

Last year, defenseman Dmitry Kulikov -- also a restricted free agent at the time -- held out until just before the abbreviated 2013 season started. Kulikov eventually signed a two-year deal with Florida.

Both Markstrom and Matthias took big steps forward last season. Markstrom took over Florida's starting job in net and Matthias moved up to be Florida's top center once Stephen Weiss left with a wrist injury.

Matthias, 25, set career-highs with 14 goals despite the 48-game slate. Matthias was one of four Florida players to play in all 48 games. Matthias will be getting a nice raise from his $900,000 made last year.

"I'm excited to come back to the Panthers. I've said it before, I don't want to go anywhere else,'' Matthias said Tuesday. "I'm excited to show everyone last year wasn't a fluke and I can play at a high level. I can do a lot better. I don't think that's it. I have a lot more in the tank.

"With the work I've put in, there's no reason I can't keep the No. 1 center job. I'm going into camp focused to take it. I want it and that's what I'm working for.''

Tallon added Florida "holds out hope" to get a new deal done with Weiss, although it appears he will be able to talk to other teams starting Wednesday at midnight.

Weiss, the franchise's all-time leader in games played, Jose Theodore and Tyson Strachan are expected to be free agents come Friday.

"The consensus is they would like me back and I would like to be back,'' Weiss said after the season ended. "It's just a numbers game. Hopefully that works out over the summer, but it's a business. Sometimes those things don't fit and they don't make sense. I understand that. It's not a lost cause by any means.''

PHOTOS: JOE RIMKUS JR./Miami Herald