NHL Panthers TV analyst Bill Lindsay yesterday "was fired" by FS Florida after six years with the net, according to Harvey Fialkov of the South Florida SUN-SENTINEL. Lindsay said that he "was informed in a two-minute phone call that his contract wouldn't be renewed." The Panthers said that FS Florida "pays and picks the talent." Fialkov notes Lindsay’s role "was diminished last year" when the net "brought back" Denis Potvin as the team’s color analyst. Steve Goldstein "remains as the play-by-play announcer" (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 8/12). Meanwhile, in Tampa, Joe Smith reports analyst Brian Engblom yesterday was "named the new partner" for Lightning play-by-play man Rick Peckham on Sun Sports telecasts. Engblom will "replace the colorful presence of Bobby 'The Chief' Taylor," who has been the team's color analyst since '93-94. Taylor will "remain in a studio role for pregame, postgame and intermission reports." With Taylor's expanded studio role, "sharing time" with Dave Andreychuk, Chris Dingman "is not expected to return." Lightning Exec VP/Marketing & Communications Bill Wickett said that "many candidates were considered." Smith notes NHL Network's Billy Jaffe and Kevin Weekes "were believed to be finalists, but Engblom rose to the top" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 8/12).
