Reports via Twitter are beginning to circulate that Cats GM Dale Tallon will announce the naming of Portland Pirates bench boss Kevin Dineen as the 11th head coach of the Florida Panthers on Wednesday at 3pm.

This is a terrific hire for Tallon, as Dineen, 47, has been a spectacularly successful coach at the AHL level, widely viewed as among those ready to make the jump to the National Hockey League.

I personally watched this guy for many years in Hartford, and few could match his professionalism, character, or will to win. Ron Francis may have been the heart of that club, but Dineen was its spirit in every sense; my use of the word "legend" was not in error.

A perfect fit with the direction Florida is headed.