Panthers refute report of Tallon resuming management control
The Florida Panthers are maintaining the status quo.
In light of general manager Tom Rowe's recent appointment to interim head coach, Dale Tallon was reported to be resuming control of managerial duties on top of his role as president of hockey operations, according to TSN's Darren Dreger.
Not so, says the club's president and CEO:
There's a lot circulating out of Florida right now. Matt Caldwell, #FlaPanthers president and CEO, on reports tonight: pic.twitter.com/ktZrLs2NQn
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) December 15, 2016
The GM role was handed to assistants Eric Joyce and Steve Werier following Gerard Gallant's firing and Rowe's new coaching duties, although the Panthers have taken an "all hands on deck" approach - Tallon included - when it comes to the decision-making process, a setup that was affirmed Wednesday by Panthers' owner Vinny Viola, per Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet
"As far as I am concerned, Dale has always had final say over hockey decisions," Viola said. "What we had done is bifurcate Dale from some things he didn’t need to worry about anymore. But, in terms of player decisions, it is his call."
Tallon served as Panthers GM from 2010 to early 2016, at which point he was promoted to an executive position. As such, he's largely credited for the team's recent turnaround, highlighted by a first-place finish in the Atlantic Division last season.
The Panthers have gone 2-3-3 since the coaching change and have a 13-13-4 record through 30 games this season.