Panthers open contract talks with pending RFAs Huberdeau, Hayes

The Florida Panthers have begun negotiating with a pair of pending restricted free-agent forwards.

The club has opened contract talks with Jonathan Huberdeau and Jimmy Hayes, general manager Dale Tallon told the Miami Herald's George Richards on Saturday at the NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo.

Huberdeau, 22, scored 15 goals and added 39 assists in his third season with the Panthers.

Hayes registered 35 points in his second campaign with the Panthers after spending parts of three seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks.