The Florida Panthers announced they have hired Bill Zito as their 11th General Manager in franchise history. After interviewing a whole load of candidates, the Panthers are hoping Zito will bring a winning culture to Sunrise.
The next General Manager of the Florida Panthers is Bill Zito!
Welcome to #FlaPanthers Territory!
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— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) September 2, 2020
Bill Zito to be Florida’s New General Manager
After ten years, for the most part, the Dale Tallon experiment has ended and with nothing to show for it either. Back on August 10th, the Panthers announced they will be parting ways with Tallon. His contract ran its course back on July first, but due to the Pandemic and how the season went. The Panthers waited for their “postseason” to officially come to an end.
With the combination of handing out bad contracts, signing free agents way past their prime, or protecting the wrong players in the expansion draft. The Florida Panthers decided it was time for a new direction.
In their search for the new general manager, the owners have assigned team President Matt Caldwell and Vincent Viola, two West Point guys with very little hockey experience. To search for the team’s new leader. Together they have assigned Zito to be the team’s new General Manager moving forward.
The Panthers Need Help
Moving along through these three-weeks. The search consisted of an interesting cast of characters. Some with former general manager experience like Ron Hextall of Philadelphia, Mike Gillis of Vancouver, and Peter Chiarelli former to Boston and Edmonton. The search has also included former Panther player Scott Mellanby, who is currently with the Montreal Canadiens. Along with TV personalities Kevin Weekes and Eddie Olyczk.
Moving forward with Tallon gone, the Panthers and their fans are praying this new selection has more of a direction of where to go next. Since 1993, only two general managers have guided the Panthers to the playoffs. Tallon and Bryan Murray. With a lot of good pieces both in Florida and the minor league system. Zito has a great chance at making Florida a true contender in the years to come.
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