Today is the previously-agreed upon date for the Rochester Americans to either re-up as the Panthers' AHL affiliate, or bail for presumably greener pastures at the end of the current season. As recently as a few days ago, Amerks' president Lewis Staats publicly declared his club would "explore other options" if the Cats would not amend the deal to a more Americans-friendly situation (read: more roster control, among other items).

Like GM Dale Tallon really needed this headache; however, it does offer an opportunity for he and his staff to scout a potentially more advantageous opportunity elsewhere, with no previous "bad-blood" looming overhead.

Whatever the final outcome, we'll know soon.