More Information The Official Site of the Florida Panthers. For that reason, if any moves are made, they will likely need to include some current rostered players in order to balance out the incoming salaries and make them fit under the cap. Entering play on Monday, the Panthers have the fourth-highest point total in the league, with their 79 points in 55 games only trailing Colorado (85 points in 56 games), Carolina (83 points in 56 games) and Tampa Bay (80 points in 55 games). If you can get Player A going -- who might be stagnated right now -- does that jump-start Player B as well? That was an absolute priority, but, to go deeper than that, you need a leader. The Panthers' decision to seek a new GM came one day after the NHL first-round playoff matchups were set, and hours before the league was holding the second phase of its draft lottery -- with Florida being one of the eight teams with an equal shot at the No. Not even the exciting Wild Card race Florida was enthralled in could fix that. Teams that drafted new top prospects Before Zito was hired by the Panthers, you could pencil in the 55-year-old executive's name onto any list of candidates for open general manager jobs. Players, coaches, execs vote for NHL's top centers, Lineup picks, matchups, start or sit advice for Saturday, Theodore scores in SO, Golden Knights beat Devils 4-3, Keys to the offseason: Free-agency, draft plans for all 31 NHL teams, Everything to know for the 2020 NHL draft: Analysis, rankings and more, What we're hearing about the 2020-21 NHL season. Its overwhelming right now and I cant wait to get started.. The process was exhilarating.". Oddly, history is repeating itself on that front. #OneTerritory FloridaPanthers.com. The estimated total pay for a Manager at Florida Panthers is $77,224 per year. They made the Qualifying Round this year and, with some help, couldve easily made the First Round. But Trochek was only scheduled to make, on average, $4.875 million in salary over the last two years of his contract. Zito has the team-building experience the Panthers coveted, a track record in player development and strong relationships across the league from his time as an agent. In terms of assets not on the current roster, young players like Owen Tippett and Grigori Denisenko come to mind, but off-limits in any trade are rookies Spencer Knight and Anton Lundell. All-in-all, it was enough cuts to outrage fans. The 38-year-old forward has been one of the biggest surprise of the year for the Panthers, scoring 12 goals and recording 14 points all since the start of the new year. Round 1 best picks | Round 1 recap The Panthers need to prioritize keeping their most loyal fans happy, simply to guarantee consistent income. Patience might also be the only way to approach one of the more controversial aspects of the Panthers' current roster: their goaltending. I can't wait to get to work.". This year, while it may appear that Floridas roster is pretty stacked (and it is), multiple sources have told Local 10 News that Zito is looking to make another big splash ahead of the Trade Deadline. William Arthur Torrey (June 23, 1934 - May 2, 2018) was a Canadian hockey executive. Eleven of the players on Columbus current roster were drafted by the Blue Jackets in Zitos time with the organization. The team tried to remedy this by giving holders discounts in the team store and at concessions but many noted that the discounts were fairly negligible. With smart drafting and efficient draft-minded moves, the Panthers could easily revamp things without sacrificing any top-end names. Get one turning and the machine starts working better. Take a look, He found a clam on a Florida beach to make some chowder. Does he have another one in him? Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images Zito has proven to be more than capable at not only pulling off big moves, but having them pay off immediately (see: Bennett, Sam). "We are thrilled to welcome Bill Zito as General Manager of the Florida Panthers," said Viola. And bring them along and get some leadership to help them along, and thats what excites me.. Get started with your Free Employer Profile, average salary for a Manager is $67,877 per year in United States, The Ultimate Job Interview Preparation Guide. Bill Zito's daughter Gigi, for example, became mildly obsessed with one day owning a limousine. Zito joins a braintrust that includes a three-time Stanley Cup champion in coach Joel Quenneville. Terms have apparently been reached with a new Florida Panthers general manager. Those two, along with the three former top-three picks, still form the core for the Panthers. He practiced law in New York and Chicago prior to founding ACME World Sports. General Manager: Bill Zito. "But we'll be fine.". Arena: FLA Live Arena. GM Tallon leaving Panthers after 10 seasons, How the Rangers, Bruins, other East powers took over the trade deadline. He brings great experience to our club and possesses a strong business acumen.. And his to-do list is very, very daunting. The Cats have been linked to Arizona Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun for a couple months, but he isnt the only rearguard that Zito has been considering. Florida Panthers and floridapanthers.com are trademarks of the Florida Panthers Hockey Club, Ltd. NHL, the NHL Shield, the word mark and image of the Stanley Cup and NHL Conference logos are registered trademarks and NHL Draft name and logo are trademarks of the National Hockey League. The Panthers struggled to develop this same sort of homegrown pipeline throughout Tallons 10 years in charge. Caldwell said Zitos contract is a five-year deal. He served in that role for two years before also taking on the role of General Manager of the American Hockey League's Cleveland Monsters (then Lake Erie Monsters) in 2015-16. Sergei Bobrovsky has a $10 million cap hit and a full no-move clause through the next four years of the six remaining on his contract. GM Bill Zito explains. The Panthers have been very busy in their search and may have a new general manager within the week. In a running joke between him and Julie, Zito wanted to buy the first house they were ever shown on the market. Itll be a fortnight before we find out. The Panthers have five defensive spots pretty much set in stone but adding any of the aforementioned d-men would bump the entire group up to another level. The Panthers are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Hockey League (NHL). Because you might not, you know?". All Rights Reserved. Glancing at the league standings, it should come as no surprise that the Florida Panthers are among the clubs considered deadline buyers. Needless to say, its muddy. If no results appear, use Enter to do a full site search. Use arrows to navigate between autocomplete results. Copyright 2023 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company. General Manager Bill Zito has done an exemplary job building a roster that can and should compete for the Stanley Cup when the postseason arrives in a couple months. It's our new GM! "After an extensive search, I am proud and excited to bring Bill Zito on board with the Panthers as our General Manager" said President & CEO Matt Caldwell. The top priority for the new Florida Panthers general manager will be to immediately cut salary. During that extended trip will be when the Trade Deadline arrives, and while the Panthers are set up nicely to make a run at the franchises first Stanley Cup, its no secret that Zito will make any and every move in his power if it makes the team better than it was before. ", It was meant as a joke, but there was more than a little truth behind it: Zito was an integral part of Blue Jackets management, and they were allowing him to interview with a conference rival. Zito is a former attorney, turned agent, turned AHL-general manager, turned Colombus Blue Jackets associate-GM. No one's the same. Visit FloridaPanthers.com/Memberships or call 954-835-PUCK for more information. The Official Site of the Florida Panthers. Roster and Statistics. While he is an experienced agent of 18 years, and AHL GM of five years, this is definitely going to mark a bit of a new world for Zito. like one would say "curses!" Thatll surely be a priority for the new Florida Panthers general manager. My Florida Panthers Account Manager Learn More Learn More Learn More Learn More Learn More Learn More Learn More Learn More Learn More Learn More Learn More Learn More The Official Florida Panthers Membership Hub Florida Panthers Account Manager is the best way to manage your tickets. Of Tallons 12 first-round picks, only five played for the Panthers this season and they once again fell short of the traditional 16-team playoffs. If you want it, write the check. All rights reserved. FloridaPanthers.com is the official Web site of the Florida Panthers. The next four NHL Drafts are absolutely filled with high-end talent that will revamp the leagues prospect pools. I'm very confident, because of the way we did it in Columbus. They've had to grow up a little too much for kids their age," he said. General manager Bill Zito gives Paul Maurice an emphatic vote of confidence. Led by General Manager Bill Zito, the Panthers are coming off their best season in franchise history. SUNRISE, Fla. The NHL Trade Deadline is exactly two weeks away, and teams are starting to put wheels in motion ahead of the annual swap meet. The Florida Panthers are a community focused organization led by an authentic management team that served our country and now serves the South Florida community. But that might not necessarily mean shipping a bunch of players out the door. To the surprise of no one, Florida Panthers general manager Bill Zito has been named one of the three finalists for the Jim Gregory GM of the Year Award. Zito said. Occasionally, Panthers brass would push Zito on some specifics. "That's a great question, because I ain't giving away anything," Zito said with a laugh. Florida parted ways with Tallon, whose contract was expiring, last month, three days after the Panthers fell to the New York Islanders in the qualifying round of the expanded postseason. Regarding Sergei Bobrovsky (lower-body), Maurice said [] Resiliency runs in the family. Its no secret that Zito has been looking to bolster Floridas back line. The team has had ten general managers since their inception. Show your Panthers pride and tweet at us with #FromTheTerritory, Click to view our upcoming Vamos Gatos! I probably coached a lot of his players. "I look forward to getting to know him a lot better. Enter Search Term. The organization is on the rise and is experiencing success both on and off the ice. Goals For: 189 (5th of 31), Goals Against: 153 (8th of 31) Panthers immediate future gets murky with another bad loss on eve of trade deadline, Panthers trade deadline primer: Buy or sell? Find out the highest paying jobs at Florida Panthers and salaries by location, department, and level. SUNRISE, Fla. - Florida Panthers Owner & Governor Vincent Viola announced today that Bill Zito has been named General Manager of the Panthers. Florida Panthers president Matt Caldwell presents new general manager Bill Zito with his own team sweater at a virtual press conference on Sept. 2, 2020. And he wants to win," said Zito, who called Bobrovsky before being announced as the new GM. Experience the Florida Panthers and FLA Live Arena World Class Shows in the most premier setting! 2020-21. Zito is a former attorney, turned agent, turned AHL-general manager, turned Colombus Blue Jackets associate-GM. FloridaPanthers.com is the official Web site of the Florida Panthers. The Panthers have a new general manager. Primary Arena: BB&T Center. With the qualifying rounds over, the Florida Panthers aren't bringing back GM Dale Tallon. Zito was asked how his tenure was going to be any different from the general managers who came before him. Life History Florida panthers are territorial and solitary, unless a pair is mating or a female is raising kittens. On Aug. 10, the team announced it was parting ways with Dale Tallon who, for the most part, was the team's GM for a decade. He served as a general manager in the National Hockey League for the Oakland Seals, New York Islanders, and Florida Panthers.He developed the Islanders into a dynasty that won four consecutive Stanley Cups. The Florida Panthers are a community focused organization led by an authentic management team that served our country and now serves the South Florida community. His mother, Priscilla Zito, had a second bout of pancreatic cancer last year. Latest videos by the Florida Panthers! In some cases, he make it through to the final few candidates, only to fall short of achieving his dream. But that cant be the end of the story. Some on the Florida side of the conversation would blurt out "Jarmo!" The agreement, following months of settlement discussions, was approved by Miami . Maxim Mamin is alright but hes 25 and isnt producing as much as hoped in the KHL. Not the big stretch one, but just a regular Cadillac limo. But I won't run in and say, 'Get rid of 'em!'". "I remember thinking 'God, am I tired,' but at the same time feeling emotionally great. My sister dying. The Florida Panthers are a community focused organization led by an authentic management team that served our country and now serves the South Florida community. Born and raised in Miami-Dade County, David has covered South Florida sports since 2007. I'm going to ask 100% from the players. They might have grabbed a beer in a group, he said, but didn't have the kind of personal relationship they'll have now. In January, the owners of the Panthers notified then-GM Tallon that he needed to cut $10 million in salary by the 2020-21 season. Panthers hire Blue Jackets' Bill Zito as new . You were making ground: Someone would ask you a question, you'd respond, and then the follow-up would be based on your response, because maybe there was something unique that you had said," he said. "You know when you spend time with people in life when you have a connection. If no results appear, use Enter to do a full site search. Players, coaches, execs vote for NHL's top centers, Lineup picks, matchups, start or sit advice for Saturday, Theodore scores in SO, Golden Knights beat Devils 4-3, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. NHL Postseason Central GM Bill Zito defends Paul Maurice, Panthers process near the end of disappointing season, Mysterious creature seen hopping along rainforest river for first time in 24 years, Little dragon found on uninhabited Australian island is a new species. Seattle captain Mark Giordano, Dallas veteran John Klingberg and Anaheims Hampus Lindholm are all defenseman that Zito has an eye on, though its worth noting on Lindholm that several teams are in a holding pattern until the Ducks decide whether theyre going to move him or not. Conference: Eastern. The Cats are in win-now mode, and it would be more than acceptable to swing for the fences and go all-in for a chance at winning the Stanley Cup. Florida Panthers History. Get in-depth, sideline coverage of Miami area sports - only $1 a month. He'd respond that he couldn't get into them. Bill Zito touched down in South Florida on Wednesday to be announced as the Florida Panthers new general manager and had a text message waiting for him as he got off the plane. and activations manager. Look who's here! Flyers GM: Red Wings nixed van Riemsdyk trade, Avs' Makar OK'd to return 2nd time from protocol, Wild acquire defenseman Klingberg from Ducks, Sabres add size up front, get Greenway from Wild, Penguins acquire defenseman Kulikov from Ducks, Sources: No discipline for Watson hit on Motte, Surging Bruins fastest to 100 pts. The NHL's Florida Panthers are entering their 29th season in the league, competing in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Florida Panthers and floridapanthers.com are trademarks of the Florida Panthers Hockey Club, Ltd. NHL, the NHL Shield, the word mark and image of the Stanley Cup and NHL Conference logos are registered trademarks and NHL Draft name and logo are trademarks of the National Hockey League. FloridaPanthers.com is the official Web site of the Florida Panthers. "They're tough. Seeing how Florida evolves over the next few years is going to be very interesting. It all lies on the effectiveness of a first-time GM and a stingy, desperate owners group. The Panthers shifted things around to require season-ticket holders to now pay over $400-per-seat for parking, for the whole year. Zito will now have to find a way to best supplement them and turn Florida into a perennial contender for the first time. while happy tears flowed. The coach has had a year to evaluate the roster and the system. Record: 37-14-5 (79 points), Finished 2nd in NHL Central Division ( Schedule and Results ) Coach: Joel Quenneville (37-14-5) Captain: Aleksander Barkov. ", Julie Zito, his wife, responded: "Florida! He brought Luongo back to Florida in a trade, swung a deal in 2015 that added Jaromir Jagr, assembled the 2015-16 roster that set team records for wins (47) and points (103), and last year was instrumental in the talks that lured his close friend Joel Quenneville to take over as coach of the Panthers. "But at the same time, it's our job to make prudent decisions. The salary starts at $93,964 per year and goes up to $186,884 per year for the highest level of seniority. Attendance in Sunrise has been falling since 2015-16. He's a really intuitive guy, really bright. "Bill is an excellent mind in our game today who proved during his time with the Columbus Blue Jackets that he possesses great prowess for evaluating talent and building success. Tallon had successes, such as drafting Jonathan Huberdeau, Aleksander Barkov and Aaron Ekblad -- now cornerstones of the team. Copyright 2022 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved. As parents do, Zito made a promise to his 9-year-old: If one of his many interviews to become an NHL general manager ever resulted in him getting the job, he would buy her a Cadillac limo one day. Florida Panthers. The organization is on the rise and is experiencing success both on and off the ice. If it wasnt already apparent enough, the teams call for a voiding of $10 million in salary speaks volumes. He is nearing his 7-year anniversary at the site and is one of the crew's many NHL Draft experts, on top of covering the St. Louis Blues and Buffalo Sabres. Terms have apparently been reached with a new Florida Panthers general manager. Tallon had been with Florida since May 17, 2010, coming in at a time when the Panthers were 10 years removed from what had been their most recent playoff appearance. While still a good prospect, hes not likely for the stardom that Florida needs. Zito and Bednar won the 2016 Calder Cup with the Lake Erie Monsters, which put the then-assistant GM on every team's radar. Zito's primary interview with owner Vinny Viola, his son Michael Viola and Caldwell lasted roughly eight and a half hours. The organization is on the rise and is experiencing success both on and off the ice. Florida panthers also stalk birds . NHL Rumours: Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Minnesota Wild, Today in Hockey History: Soviet Union Wins Summit Series Opener. Last offseason, Florida hired coach Joel Quenneville after he helped lead the Chicago Blackhawks to three Stanley Cups last decade and signed superstar goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky to a seven-year, $70 million deal after he twice won the Vezina Trophy with the Blue Jackets. Led by General Manager Bill Zito, the Panthers are coming off their best season in franchise history. When you're a team as deep as the Florida Panthers, the surplus of players can sometimes be a luxury that is difficult to afford. Hes taking the reigns of one of the most challenging situations in the league. Bill Zito, who had been with the Columbus Blue Jackets since 2013, heads to Florida to replace Dale Tallon. The Official Site of the Florida Panthers. Enter Search Term. The Florida Panthers are a community focused organization led by an authentic management team that served our country and now serves the South Florida community. We will now begin an organizational search for the next General Manager.". The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has documented males as far north as Georgia. Florida panthers prefer a dense understory of vegetation where . He handled our team really well.". Per HC Paul Maurice, Alex Lyon will start in net vs. Wild. Columbus success at developing homegrown talent is the sort of model Florida would like to follow. The Panthers extensive search led them to interview about two dozen candidates, ranging from assistant general managers, such as Zito, to television analysts, such as former Florida goaltender Kevin Weekes. "I don't think people care about what you think as much as they care about how you think.". Mobile ticketing is the most convenient way to manage your tickets and parking. Its going to be an uphill battle for Bill Zito, a road he has to face in his first-ever GM role. "There was an instant connection from the first moment we met," said team president Matthew Caldwell, who also called Zito "the most well-rounded candidate that we came across" and someone who "understands how to make a place a great destination for players to go to.". "If it means that we're expanding opportunities for people . in NHL history, NHL trade tracker: Latest deals and grades, NHL trade grades: Sabres smartly buy low on Greenway, NHL trade deadline 2023: Fantasy hockey live reaction, Road to the men's Frozen Four: Conference tournaments at a glance, Chasing history in Boston: The numbers behind the Bruins' wild 2022-23 season, McDavid, then who? Female panthers have been documented only in South Florida, which is where all known breeding occurs. He's since leaned on the former Blue Jacket for information and insight about his new team. Get the latest official stats for the Florida Panthers. It's a well-earned promotion for Bill. He struggled under the weight of that deal in posting just a .900 save percentage in his first season in Florida after seven with Columbus. Its coming from Cuba, weather forecasters say, Why were Panthers the only team not to make trade ahead of deadline? Stay sharp but win every draft. He made a big move at last seasons deadline, acquiring Sam Bennett from the Calgary Flames, and another at the NHL Draft last summer, trading with Buffalo for the services of Sam Reinhart. Theres one clear-cut way to guarantee good attendance: get a lot of season-ticket holders. Many season-ticket holders of decades said they had now soured on the team. But don't ask me about this, this and this. In 2018, season-ticket holders complained about new changes made to the format. Take a Virtual Tour and learn how you can join Panthers Territory today. Zito said Panthers management was well-prepared, too. The Florida Panthers have one of the worst prospect pools in the entire NHL. The premier sports & entertainment venue in South Florida. After ten years, the marriage in South Florida between general manager Dale Tallon and the Florida . That ouster, the end of yet another season of high expectations that didn't deliver as planned, sealed Tallon's fate. Bringing in Reinhart cost Zito a 2022 first-round pick and high-end goalie prospect Devon Levi. He was always an attractive option, having founded the Acme World Sports player agency before his run as assistant general manager and then vice president of hockey operations under GM Jarmo Kekalainen with the Blue Jackets. Florida Panthers /. All NHL logos and marks and NHL team logos and marks as well as all other proprietary materials depicted herein are the property of the NHL and the respective NHL teams and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of NHL Enterprises, L.P. A few hours later, he sat in front of a video camera and explained why he decided to leave his post in the Columbus Blue Jackets front office to become the 11th general manager in Panthers history.