The Florida Panthers have named Dale Tallon as the club's new
general manager, replacing Randy Sexton less than a year after he
was officially named to the post.
The Panthers made the announcement on Monday, a day ahead of
a news conference at which the 59-year-old Tallon is to be
introduced. Tallon comes to Florida after working in the Chicago
Blackhawks' front office for more than a decade. He also played for
three NHL teams from 1970-80.
"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,'' Cliff Viner and Stu
Siegel, Florida's managing partners, said in a statement.
Sexton, officially named as Panthers GM in October, oversaw
the team's contract negotiations, scouting, administration and
player development after Jacques Martin left the franchise in June
to coach the Montreal Canadiens.
"We thank Randy Sexton for his service to our organization
and appreciate his continued support throughout this transition
process,'' Viner and Siegel said.
Tallon was hired as Chicago's general manager in June 2005
but was moved to a senior adviser of hockey operations position in
2009 - less than two months after the Blackhawks advanced to the
Western Conference finals.
The Blackhawks drafted young stars Patrick Kane and Jonathan
Toews during Tallon's tenure as GM, and he was credited with trades
and free-agent acquisitions that helped turn around the
once-struggling franchise.
Tallon has quite a challenge awaiting him in Florida. The
Panthers, who finished last in the Southeast Division this season,
haven't been in the playoffs since 2000. They also haven't won a
postseason series since 1996 or a playoff game since 1997.
"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.
