Florida Panthers Saturday Links-of-Wonder

Wondering how "negotiations" are proceeding between Panthers management and Rosenhaus?  Behold above.

 *

Kevin Oklobzija wonders if the Panthers haven't struck minor-league gold - and perhaps major-league relief - in signing defenseman Clay Wilson.

*

More Rochester madness as the organization signs former Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins center/winger Jeff Taffe. Hmmm...a forward who scored 75 points in 74 AHL games last year. Whatever is the appeal?

"I told them I appreciated everything (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton has) done for me. It's one of the best places I've ever played. But Florida called right away and it was the kind of deal I couldn't pass up at this point in my career."

 *

A very welcome and long-overdue story on defenseman - and new dad - Bryan Allen from the (Kingston, ON) Whig Standard. You do remember him, yes? 

*

A dual-shot of Puck Daddys/Puck Daddies/Puck Daddae: Greg grades all thirty teams on their free agency perfomance so far, while Sean believes Pierre McGuire would make a fine Panthers GM. I politely disagreed. And who knew The Monster and Pete DeBoer are buds? 

*

Wanna see where all the Free Agents are landing? TSN's got ya covered - though it's a few hours behind as of Saturday morning.

*

 Hockey Canada has released its list of invitees for the 2010 Olympic tryouts; no Cats need apply. But seriously...if you were Stevie Y, who would you take among this bunch: Allen, Campbell, Horton, McCabe, Reinprecht, Stillman, Tarnasky, or Weiss?

*

Is Rochester's front office beginning to show some life? Keith at Let's Go Amerks! sees a few reasons which point in that direction.

*

Reports of the demise of Icethics - still one of the most unique hockey sites anywhere - have indeed been exaggerated. The bar-none home for uniform and logo news/concepts/fan art blazes on. From Chris:

"We have little information on the Panthers, but they are expected to be one of a handful of teams to debut new third (jerseys) in the fall. I fully expect more of the same from the Cats. In other words, a red sweater with the logo that features a stick-biting panther. If the Panthers were to try to exceed my expectations, they might try something completely different. Perhaps a new logo featuring the profile of a big cat on a red jersey with a unique design. But I think we all know not to set our goals too high."

 Keep it bookmarked; the updates will increase as summer rolls on.