Despite a "mixed set of messages coming out of south Florida, other NHL GMs are operating under the assumption" President of Hockey Operations and former GM Dale Tallon is "once again the Panthers’ essential decision-maker," according to Elliotte Friedman of SPORTSNET.ca. Tallon and Panthers Owner & Chair Vinnie Viola met yesterday, and sources said that they were "under the impression Tallon received increased responsibility" for the direction of the club. Those sources included "both agents and executives from other NHL teams." However, Viola last night "indicated nothing has changed." Viola: "As far as I am concerned, Dale has always had final say over hockey decisions." Sources said that they suspect the move "might be to calm down fans, 'Canadian media' and possibly players who are not pleased with where" the organization is going. The Panthers last month fired coach Gerard Gallant, and recently promoted GM Tom Rowe replaced him on the bench (SPORTSNET.ca, 12/14). Panthers President & CEO Matthew Caldwell said late last night that the Panthers had not "made any changes within its hockey operations department and decisions will still be made within the power structure" of Tallon and Assistant GMs Eric Joyce and Steve Werier. Caldwell also said that Tallon is not currently "with the team in Winnipeg." Although Rowe still holds the title of GM while serving as interim head coach, he said that day-to-day decisions would be "made by Joyce and Werier with Tallon, highly respected throughout NHL circles, having some say" (MIAMI HERALD, 12/15). TSN.ca's Darren Dreger cited sources as saying that Tallon is "resuming control of the team's management duties and hockey operations." He was "hired as the team's GM" in May of '10 and served in that capacity until the January 1, 2016 promotion, which was "accompanied by a three-year extension." Dreger does not foresee a "complete overhaul with Tallon steering the ship once again, but changes could be forthcoming in the New Year" (TSN.ca, 12/14).
