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The Florida Panthers have hired the same general manager that drafted NHL All-Stars Patrick Kane and Johnathan Toews. Dale Tallon, who was the Chicago Blackhawks GM from 2005-2009, was named the Panthers’ new GM Monday. Tallon, 59, replaces Randy Sexton less than one year after Sexton was given the position.
Tallon spearheaded the Blackhawks’ turnaround and Florida’s managing partners Cliff Viner and Stu Siegel hope he can do what many past GM’s have failed to do: win. “Dale brings with him a proven track record and an impressive franchise-building resume that we believe is the perfect fit for the future of the Panthers organization,” the team’s managing partners said in a statement.
Tallon faces an uphill battle. The Panthers haven’t made the playoffs since 2000, haven’t won a playoff series since they went to the finals in ’97 and won just 32 games this season. One advantage Tallon has the 11th ranked prospects in the NHL according to hockeysfuture.com. The team’s depth at goalie (including world wide top prospect Jacob Markstrom) will allow Tallon to focus on finding scorers like, say, Kane and Toews.
“I look forward to getting to work and will immediately evaluate our club’s framework, as we diligently prepare for the upcoming draft and free agency signing period,” Tallon said in the statement.
Matthew Coller is a staff member of the Business of Sports Network, and is a freelance writer. He can be followed on Twitter
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