Litter Box Cats, a Florida Panthers community

(For those unaware, the Cincinnati Cyclones are an ECHL dual-affiliate of the Panthers and Predators)

From ECHL.com: A five-time team captain and seven-time assistant captain, Skalde was a member of championship teams in Oshawa (OHL, 1990) and Orlando (IHL, 2001). During his professional career, he scored 308 goals with 513 assists for 821 points. He was named the Utah Grizzles "Community Man of the Year" while playing there in 2004. Cycwords has also been on the story of late, so check in with them as well.

Bolts GM Steve Yzerman via NHL.com: "The Everblades and their management have demonstrated a strong commitment to success by guiding their team to the playoffs in each of their 12 seasons in existence. That is exactly the type of winning environment we feel our players should develop in. Couple that with their proximity to Tampa and there really isn't a better option for us." In the end, having the Panthers walk away from Estero is not that devastating a blow. How many players were assigned there last season...three?

From Kevin Oklobzija of the Democrat and Chronicle: Weber, a native of Lockport (NY), guided the Cincinnati Cyclones to the ECHL's Kelly Cup championship in 2008 and 2010. They reached the conference finals in his other two seasons. His teams went 177-92-19. ...and: The Panthers also are expected to add a goalie coach and a strength and conditioning coach. The old management team in Florida eliminated that combined position before last season.

From the South Florida Sun-Sentinel's Harvey Fialkov: The Panthers are severing ties with their ECHL affilitate, the Florida Everblades and will add a new affiliate by the "end of next week,'' according to (assistant general manager Mike) Santos. Santos also said he expects to name a coach at AHL Rochester this weekend. That came out of nowhere, though it probably should not have. Getting fed up sharing a minor league club - and fighting for prospect ice time - with an Everblades organization owned by the division-rival Hurricanes. Still, the geography of the partnership was second to none... UPDATE: 'Blades beat writer Woody Womack has been on this for the better part of a month, stating: The Everblades have been mentioned in rumors suggesting the team could be in talks with to add either New York Rangers or the Anaheim Ducks as a second NHL affiliate.