With the Stanley Cup Playoffs finally over and new head coach Bob Boughner in the fold, the Florida Panthers will now turn their full attention to the upcoming expansion draft.
After Elliotte Friedman set the internet abuzz by suggesting in his most recent edition of 30 Thoughts, that the Cats had asked Keith Yandle to waive his no-movement clause, Panthers beat writer George Richards put the fire out yesterday with this tweet.
The Florida Panthers say they have not nor will not ask Keith Yandle to waive no movement to Vegas… pic.twitter.com/3wS3a01NVb
— George Richards (@GeorgeRichards) June 12, 2017
If true, that means that the Panthers will be required to protect Yandle from the Golden Knights.
Florida, and the 29 other existing teams, must submit their protected list on NHL Central Registry by 5 p.m. on Saturday. The Panthers have not officially stated whether they will protect eleven (7-3-1) or nine (8-1) players as of yet.
Back to Boughner, here are some quotes from the team and coach from yesterday’s presser.
Dale Tallon
On the coaching search, choosing Boughner
“It was an exhaustive, extensive [coaching] search. We interviewed 15 coaches and talked to half of a dozen more and everyone said the same thing about the great potential and great future that this franchise has. It was good to hear. But of all of the interviews and of all of the people, Bob Boughner here impressed us like no one else. Of all of the years I’ve been in the business, interviewing coaches, firing coaches, meeting coaches, Bob was the most prepared. His performance, his preparation, his passion knocked us out of the park.”
Bob Boughner
On joining the Panthers
“I’m thrilled to be here today and I look forward to the challenge and the journey ahead. I believe in Dale and I believe in this group. I think we have a lot of great pieces here to build something special here in South Florida. I’ve seen this game through many vantage points, I’ve been a player, I’ve been an owner, I’ve been an executive, I’ve been a head coach and an assistant coach. I know this league and I know the game and I’m ready for the challenge.”
Matthew Caldwell
On the process of hiring Boughner
“Vinnie [Viola] was very clear at the end of the season that Dale would lead the process and then make the final decision. We wanted him to go out and gather as much information as possible and talk to as many people as possible, bounce some ideas off of me. A few weeks ago, he brought me in to meet a few candidates and I was just blown away by Bob. I’m not going to comment on his hockey expertise, I’ll let Dale do that. But from a cultural perspective and knowing what the owners want, the intensity and preparation and the type of person they want leading this team. I thought he fit all of those characteristics.”