Panthers GM Dale Tallon was interviewed briefly this afternoon on NHL Home Ice via XM/Sirius radio. A couple of quick hits from the show before Thursday's Free Agent madness:

On Thursday's Free Agent Frenzy:  We'll evaluate what's out there...(and) look at not only what makes sense for us next year but long-term. We look at it as a marathon, not a sprint. We'll be pursuing the right type of player at the right time.

On how much to shake up the roster through free agency:  Our blueprint is to develop through the draft, make some prudent trades, then add from free agency as we go along. Free agency makes sense if it's one player who puts you over the top. We'll be very aware of who's available that may fill some of the holes on this team.

Thoughts on last weekend's Entry Draft after taking 13 players in seven rounds:  We added a variety of players - mostly big players. Three guys over 6'-4", a group of guys in the 6'-3" and 6'-2" level; only one was under six feet. We got a lot of the guys we had pointed out as future Panthers. Overall (chief scout) Scott Luce and the whole amateur staff did a great job.

Everyone knows about Erik Gudbranson, but what's the story with John McFarland (sliding out of the first round)? We were happy to get both (Alex) Petrovic and John McFarland early in the second round. I saw (John) play a few games with Sudbury this year; I liked his presence on the ice, quick feet, quick hands, quick shot, and he's got a bit of an edge as well. Fortunate to get him at 33.

Having dealt forward Nathan Horton, are you looking to address some issues up front?: I like offense, I like scoring, I like a puck-possession game. Definitely we need to improve in that area. We need to improve in all areas, defense and special teams and offense. It's going to take more than one player, so we need to take our time so we don't make any mistakes.

On Stephen Weiss:  He' a valuable asset; Stephen's staying here, he's going to play here. I like him a lot, and he's expressed that he's happy here and wants to play well and raise his game here. We're happy to have him. Hopefully we'll get him some players to complement him and give him a lot of assists.

Timeline for the future:  We want to make the playoffs as soon as possible. That's the goal. We're looking at (Thursday) adding some possible free agents who can get us to the next level. We'll take this one step at a time. I can't put a timeframe on it; it happened a little quicker than we expected in Chicago.

On players (such as Olesz, Frolik) not utilizing that "extra gear":  You're exactly right. And they'd better find another gear or they won't play for the Panthers, simple as that. And not just those two; everyone here had better pick it up. I'm not going to put up with mediocrity.

Ed. note: clarification on the Olesz/Frolik thing in the comments.

A few random thoughts from around the web on how Florida made out in Los Angeles. A warning: get acclimated - and quickly -  to the word "Tallon"...

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Here's the final rundown:

• 1/3 - D Erik Gudbranson, Kingston; Draft preview, Prospect preview, Prospect profile
• 1/19 - C Nick Bjugstad, USHS; Draft preview, Prospect preview, Prospect profile
• 1/25 - C Quinton Howden, Moose Jaw; Draft preview, Prospect profile
• 2/33 - L John McFarland, Sudbury; Draft preview, Prospect preview
• 2/36 - D Alex Petrovic, Red Deer; Draft preview
• 2/50 - C Connor Brickley, USHS
• 3/69 - R Joe Basaraba, USHS; Draft preview
• 4/92 - G Sam Brittain, Canmore
• 4/93 - D Benjamin Gallacher, Camrose
• 4/99 - R Joonas Donskoi, Karpat
• 5/123 - C Zach Hyman, Hamilton
• 6/153 - L Corey Durocher, Kingston
• 7/183 - D R.J. Boyd, USHS

Not to worry kids: the next six rounds will fly past at breakneck speed. As of 11:30 am EST, Dale Tallon's Panthers have 4 picks in the second round, 2 in the fourth, and 1 each in the fifth, sixth, and seventh frames. In essence: 33, 36, 50, 59, 92, 93, 123, 153, and 183. That's an amazing collection - historically speaking - coming from this club.

Today's psychosis from Staples Center gets underway at 1 pm EST, and can be followed on NHL Network. We'll keep an eye out for a live stream as well (are you listening, NHL.com?). The Cats have been the early headliners so far; what's next?

Panthers GM Dale Tallon talks Ballard - Bernier trade, other tidbits following first round of 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

Courtesy of papiblez via YouTube.

As promised by our intrepid new general manager, changes they were a comin'. Talk about sheer unabashed craziness, especially in the eyes of fans not remotely familiar with anything like the behavior exhibited by the Panthers at the Staples Center on Friday evening.

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Cam or Erik? Or perhaps Brett? How about that 15th pick half the league is interested in? Most importantly, what's the story on that dog? We'll have all the answers as Dale's Big Night plows forward.

A reminder: Draft Parties will be held at Duffy's Sports Grills in North Palm and Lauderdale, so if you're available, do try to join in the festivities. We'll be at the southern spot, but the open thread will carry our torch as all the picks are made, trades are established, yada yada.

Heard a rumor? Got a hunch? Feel free to comment on anything you like; should be a rather furious few hours. Thanks for hanging with us.

Television coverage begins at 7pm - US: Versus  Canada: TSN

We're transitioning into Draft Day with minimal fanfare, hoping of course that whatever picks/moves/deals the Panthers make in a few short hours will fly under the proverbial radar and blossom down the road into - positive - draft history. Nothing's a guarantee, but at least two of the gentlemen selected today will be longtimers for the Cats well into the century's second decade.

Our schedule: we'll be scouring the interwebs for all (well, the free) draft info from Twitter, Facebook, SBN insiders, and Twitter. Why Twitter twice? As Dom Deluise's seminal Don Don might say: "Well, I like it."

Will the Cats trade up? Trade down? Fowler or Gudbranson? Will Connolly shock us all? What of that 15th overall pick?

Feel free to post whatcha got right here as the morning unfolds; we'll have another "official" open forum going up later on, to be followed by our Entry Draft Open Thread of Doom to cover the evening's festivities. It's your day, kids: talk up whatever you like.

And a reminder: We'll be heading to the Fort Lauderdale end of the Panthers' official Draft Party, at Duffy's Sports Grill on Cordova, for the actual event. Join us.