Panthers Ink Gonchar and Stefan

FLORIDA - Gm Michael Perrault was busy on the negotiation front today and seemed like a happy camper when all was said and done.

"We had a couple players that we were determined to re-sign and as luck would have it we were able to get deals done with both those players. Now we can concentrate on the Open Market and getting ready for next season with all our major players signed and ready to go."

GM Perault continued "We are very pleased to announce to our fans today the Defenceman Sergei Gonchar has decided to come back for one more year. We are also pleased that Centerman Patrik Stefan has also agreed to come back accepting a 4 year deal."

Here is how the Panthers faired with the rest of their free agents:

UFA - Brent Gilchrist was released by the Panthers.
RFA'S Travis Roche and David Morisset have decided to test the Open Market and declined offers from the Panthers.

RFA - Paul Elliott signed for 2 years @ 1.6 Mill + 1 Mill SB

RFA - Dan Hinote signed for 3 years @ 1.6 Mill + 500K SB

RFA - Mark Kosick signed for 1 year @ 0.4 MIll + 300K SB

UFA - Darcy Verot signed for 1 year @ 0.4 MIll + 300K SB

RFA - Michel Periard signed for 1 year @ .32 Mill + 500K SB

RFA - Alfie Michaud signed for 1 year @ 0.4 Mill + 300K SB

and the details for the Panthers 2 major signings are :

UFA - Sergei Gonchar signs for 1 year @ 3.6 Mill + 1.5 MILL SB

RFA - Patrik Stefan signs for years @ 3.6 Mill + 1 MILL SB

With the pre-signings now out of the way the Panthers will now be looking at the Open Market Frenzy to fill any holes that they may need to fill.