Litter Box Cats, a Florida Panthers community

From the Sun Sentinel, in case you missed it.

Among the topics, via George Richards: Santorelli, Bitz, Bernier, Gudbranson, Vokoun, Cullen, Gord Murphy, Rick Dudley, Pete DeBoer, and a somewhat bizarre (by today's standard) reference by Mike Santos to Tiger Woods and the color red.

From the D&C's KevinO: "Jacques Martin agreed that player development is enhanced in a winning environment," Staats said. "I firmly believe that if Jacques Martin had not left Florida (...) we would probably have been talking about renegotiating (with the Panthers). "We had the same philosophy. Jacques Martin’s approach to the partnership in Rochester was a much different approach than the approach of his successors (Tallon and his assistant, Mike Santos)." Way to keep it classy until after the divorce has been finalized.

Another depth acquisition with Mike Santos' fingerprints all over it. Heck, same strategy worked out with Santorelli...

Via the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. We've covered this subject a hundred different ways in the past six months, but here's the latest.

Not much love flowing between Rochester and Sunrise.

From Kevin O at the D and C: (Rochester VP of hockey operations Ted) Nolan says the Amerks won't sign any affiliation deal that leaves them with no input on their AHL roster. The team continues to investigate all possible scenarios for next season and, in an ideal world, could finalize an affiliation by the AHL All-Star break Jan. 30-31. More above, with Santos comments.

From The Sporting News' Craig Custance: There have been preliminary talks between Florida assistant GM Mike Santos and Newport Sports Management, the agency that represents (Erik) Gudbranson. But negotiations are about to heat up. "We’ll get into some serious discussions on Monday," (Panthers GM Dale) Tallon told Sporting News.

So far the hosts are shaping up to be Mike Santos (has this guy slept since arriving here?), Robbie Tallas, and defenseman Dmitry Kulikov.