Got off the phone with Panthers (interim) GM Randy Sexton a while ago and he shared some insight about Florida's busy start to the free agency period...


- It appears Jordan Leopold, who was acquired in the deal which sent Jay Bouwmeester to Calgary, will be testing the free agent market.  Sexton said Leopold may sign with Florida, but after a long pause, called that chance "remote."

"We tried to do a few different things," Sexton said about contract negotiations with Leopold. "For whatever reason, it couldn't quite come together."


- Although there are still a few scorers available on the market, don't expect to see the Panthers to upgrade its top two lines. Sexton said Florida is comfortable with its top six and bluntly stated it is not likely the team will spend on offense.


- A good part of today's agenda involved re-signing players. In trying to keep David Booth and Radek Dvorak -- two players cited as models for the Panthers' makeup -- he found success. With backup netminder Craig Anderson, not so much.

On Booth: "We're just delighted. David embodies everything that's an ideal Panther. Speed, skill ... great work ethic and attitude."

On Dvorak: "We're really happy to have D-vo back. He helped us create the identity last year as an up-tempo team. ... He wanted to come back, and we wanted him back."


- When the Panthers lost out on Anderson, they turned their focus to finding a backup for Tomas Vokoun. Sexton indicated the Cats focused on two netminders, but found themselves leaning toward Clemmensen because of the assets he could bring to the team. Clemmensen's contract demands were in line with Florida's plan, so they went ahead with a deal.

Florida has $14.2 million committed to its goaltenders over the next two seasons, with most of that going to Vokoun. The Panthers seem comfortable, though, with the idea Clemmensen overtaking the Czech netminder for the No. 1 job.

"We would envision an open competition," Sexton said. "I don't think Tomas is a shrinking violet, and Scott is an extremely competitive guy. We expect a competitive situation for that starting position."


- No word on the Panthers' GM search, but Sexton says he's thankful for getting a hands-on opportunity to make his case for the job.

"[Panthers President Bill Torrey] and I talk every day and Bill is clear there are other good candidates," Sexton said. "I'm fortunate I got the chance to audition for the job."

SUNRISE, Fla. -- Roberto Luongo's return to South Florida has been two years in the making. Quite a long time for fans, players and the organization to receive closure.

Whether it be Stephen Weiss' blind shot which tied it at three apiece, Tomas Vokoun's save on Markus Naslund's penalty shot in overtime, or Nathan Horton's lone shootout goal, the current Panthers did their part to put momentarily let fans forget about one of the darkest days in franchise history.

Despite playing with a sense of urgency that has been absent for most of the year, Florida struggled to swing the momentum totally in their favor. Yet they kept rattling off shots, 73 in all if you account for the ones that flew wide or were blocked. No Canuck went untouched, as 12 players recorded at least one hit.

Weiss suggested after the game Luongo's return didn't factor into the team's passionate play. That may be the case, but it was hard to ignore who was at the other end of the ice when fans in the BankAtlantic Center jeered every play in which Luongo touched the puck.

And Vokoun, who was subjected to playing in the shadow of Luongo upon his arrival in Florida, thrust himself into the spotlight with a penalty shot save on Markus Naslund with 46 seconds to play in overtime. He followed that effort with three consecutive saves to seal the shutout victory, celebrating in his crease with a little fist pump before his teammates mobbed him.

"People can do lots of stuff with emotion, and that's what we need here," Vokoun said. "We need more involvement and more emotion. We've got to enjoy winning. When you enjoy it, you do everything you can to repeat that feeling."

Perhaps it was fitting that Florida's celebration music for the evening included Eminem's "Lose Yourself" -- "If you had one shot, or one opportunity/to seize everything you ever wanted -- one moment/would you capture it or just let it slip?"

It may not have been the most well-executed or prettiest win for Florida. But the desire to skate away with this W more than any other was apparent. Now it is just a question as to whether they can bottle the passion from tonight for the stretch.