Panthers Qualify Seven, Trade for One

The Panthers qualified seven restricted free agents : D Michael Caruso, G Marc Cheverie, LW Mike Duco, C Shawn Matthias, LW Kenndal McArdle, G Tyler Plante and C Mike Santorelli. They did not retain the rights to forward Niclas Bergfors. Tallon also traded for forward Tomas Kopecky's rights. The cost was a 7th round pick in either 2012 or 2013. Kopecky is another ex-Blackhawks who Tallon has led down here. Kopecky is a blue collar player. He will be a good two way player for the bottom sixth. Tallon is optimistic about getting a deal done.