Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Report on Tallon disputed
The Panthers vehemently deny a report that they have changed President of Hockey Operations
Dale Tallon’s role to give him more power over dayto-day personnel decisions.
Darren Dreger of Canada’s TSN reported Wednesday that the Panthers have given Tallon the same autonomous decision-making power over personnel that he had before he was bumped upstairs from general manager to president of hockey operations. Panthers President
Matt Caldwell and others in the organization say that isn’t true.
Tallon was the team’s general manager from 2010 until May, when associate general manager Tom
Rowe took over that position. It seemed clear that Tallon no longer was the final word on player procurement via the draft, free agency or trades, but just another experienced voice in the room.
When Rowe took over as interim coach in place of fired coach Gerard Gallant last month, he said that he would hand over general manager duties to a combination of Tallon and co-assistant general managers Eric Joyce and Steve Werier.
Caldwell told the Sun Sentinel on Wednesday night that Tallon has always been the “main voice” on personnel decisions, but that those decisions were always made in a group.
After Thursday’s morning skate, Rowe was asked about the reports concerning Tallon’s role.
“Nothing has changed at all,” Rowe said. “I know it’s out there. It just tells you can believe or not believe what’s on Twitter all the time . ...
“There’s no secret we’re more of a collaborative group. Vinnie is involved; Doug Cifu is involved, then Dale, obviously, with his talent of evaluating players.”