It didn't take long for Dale Tallon to make his mark on the Florida Panthers. Over the course of two weeks fans of all teams were awed as Tallon and Mike Santos drafted 10 prospects and brought in 10 new roster players to completely reshape and reinvigorate the Panthers. The players drafted this year should all be considered long-term projects, but the trades and signings made were for real NHL players with real NHL contracts. Each player brought in has different qualities and concerns, but the objective as always is to make the Panthers a better team.

If you were to blame the extended losing streak that ended whatever slim postseason hopes the Panthers had at the end of the season on one shortcoming, the most likely cause was a lack of leadership. After Losing Bryan McCabe, Bryan Allen, Cory Stillman and Radek Dvorak at the trade deadline, the glue that had kept the rag-tag team of players together up to March 1st was gone, and did it ever show. Trading away your captain, both assistants and the longest of the long-time players doesn't go without consequence, and for the Cats it meant last place in the conference. On July 1st, Dale Tallon took a huge step in filling the leadership gap by signing old friend Ed Jovanovski to what seems to be his last contract as an NHLer.

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It didn't take long for Dale Tallon to make his mark on the Florida Panthers. Over the course of two weeks fans of all teams were awed as Tallon and Mike Santos drafted 10 prospects and brought in 10 new roster players to completely reshape and reinvigorate the Panthers. The players drafted this year should all be considered long-term projects, but the trades and signings made were for real NHL players with real NHL contracts. Each player brought in has different qualities and concerns, but the objective as always is to make the Panthers a better team.

Though you wouldn't know it by the amount of coverage he's received since free-agency day, Scottie Upshall was the highest scoring player brought in by Dale Tallon during the signing period. With 22 goals split between two teams, the Phoenix Coyotes and Columbus Blue Jackets, Upshall had the best season of his career while playing in all 82 games. Upon signing with the Panthers, Upshall immediately revealed his full faith in Dale Tallon's blueprint and excitement for a new season. At 27 years old, Upshall is a bit of a late bloomer, but like most of the new additions to the Panthers, have a genuine shot at stability with a 4 year contract. More after the jump.

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While the Florida Panthers took the airwaves hostage on July 1st, it was difficult (for me anyways) to keep tabs on the signings made by the other 29 teams in the league. Well fear not--a month and a half later, and with most free agents accounted for, it's recap time! Now let it be known that I am not the well rounded, enlightened, Scott Burnside caliber hockey writer I make myself out to be, but I'm sure someone will benefit from this breakdown. And remember, I am in no way, shape or form biased against any team, because I hate the other 29 teams equally. 29 times the awesomeness of a regular post after the jump. 

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In the fourth move of the day, the Florida Panthers have finally resigned UFA Ryan Carter to a one year, two-way contract. Carter was acquired in the trade for Cory Stillman from the Carolina Hurricanes last March and brought unmatched intensity and energy to the horrid post-deadline Panthers. In 12 games with the Panthers (Carter missed some time with the Panthers while rehabbing a back injury) Ryan put up 3 points (2G/1A) and finished the season a +3. The Panthers were the center's third team last season, Carter started out with the Anaheim Ducks, then moved to the Hurricanes before ending up in Florida. With some welcomed stability on his side, Look for Carter to challenge Shawn Matthias for the role of 4th line center.

And who could forget...

According to multiple sources, Florida Panthers center Mike Santorelli has been resigned to a two year deal, salary/cap hit numbers have yet to be released. Santorelli was a restricted free agent and was rumored to possibly go into arbitration after negotiations seemed to come to a standstill. Santorelli had a breakout season last year after being traded from the Nashville Predators for a 4th round pick by scoring 20 goals and picking up 21 assists. Santorelli finished second on the team in points behind Stephen Weiss' 49. 

More on Santorelli after the jump.

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A few reactions - varying wildly - from around the hockey world regarding the Florida Panthers' incredible first 48 hours following the opening of free agency in the NHL, warts and all...

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This will be the final UFA weekend Open Thread - understandably - as clubs begin to wind down, publicly, for the summer. Hard to believe the Panthers could make many further acquisitions until training camp, but stranger events have occurred. Now that Matt Bradley is IN and Tomas Vokoun is OUT, look for re-signings of current RFAs such as Shawn Matthias and Mike Santorelli, likely with muted fanfare. Anyway, the soapbox is yours...

Nothing fancy this time around. Brad Richards, Tomas Vokoun, and a number of others still remain in search of new homes. As well, Mike Santorelli and Shawn Matthias await new contracts. Let it rip...

UPDATE: Richards to the Rags. Matt Bradley to FLA. Vokoun to the Caps. Punk.

Note: all of LBC's UFA coverage can be found here.