Dale Tallon is  biding his time. About 6 weeks after being reinstated as the GM of the Florida Panthers, Tallon is still calling up people and interviewing them. Many Panther fans are impatient and want Tallon to hire somebody right now. However, even though my patience is being tested, patience is key.

The coaching market this offseason is phenomenal and two teams the Florida Panthers and their Atlantic Division Counterpart Buffalo Sabres are the only teams with a vacancy in their head coaching spot. Several great names including Darryl Suter, Lindy Ruff and others are on the market. As the Panthers bide their time, some teams may be unsatisfied where they finished in the playoffs. Rumor has it that the Jack Adams curse might strike again as Barry Trotz’s future in the American Capitol is shaky.

Gerard Gallant was hired by the Panthers just a couple of days before the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. Gallant is arguably one of the best head coaches in franchise history, leading the team to their first 100+ point season in 2015-16.

When the Panthers hire a coach, they want a guy who can get along with the locker room but will also cooperate with the front office. They want a guy who is younger for long term stability. They want a creative coach who has defensive strategies and can turn the offense into a powerhouse. As far as this team is concerned going forward, last year is getting stripped out of the record books and a new era is starting here in Florida.