Oh, it's not over yet! Panthers Ink Bergenheim

SUNRISE - The Florida Panthers completed what may be one of the most memorable, if not most successful days in franchise history Friday. After signing Scottie Upshall, Jose Theodore, Ed Jovanovski, and Marcel Goc, and acquiring Kris Versteeg in a trade with Philadelphia, the Panthers locked up left wing Sean Bergenheim Friday night.

Bergenheim comes to the Panthers from their intra-state rival Tampa Bay Lightning. He had one of his better seasons in 2010-11, posting 14 goals and 15 assists, but his postseason numbers were even more staggering. He had 9 goals and 2 assists in 16 games as the Lightning advanced to the Eastern Conference finals. Bergenheim has played 326 games, the majority of which with the New York Islanders. He was drafted by the Isles in the first round in 2002.

For Panthers fans, this is a long time coming. We will see what happens when the team hits the ice in October, but most of the holes have been filled and the talent level is up. The Panthers are still short of the salary floor, so stay with us at M-S-G for the latest Panthers news and notes!

Panthers Not Done Yet: Add Fleischmann and Yonkman

SUNRISE - When all seemed to start quieting down in Panther-land today, General Manger Dale Tallon announced one more surprise. The Panthers added Tomas Fleischmann to a growing list of new Panthers. He joins Scottie Upshall, Ed Jovanovski, Jose Theodore, Marcel Goc, and Kris Versteeg, all added today.

Fleischmann may be a familar name. He recently played for the Washington Capitals, but was traded to the Colorado Avalance midway through last season. However, he was diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism which halted his career in January. The doctors recently cleared him, and he should be healthy by training camp. 2009-10 was the biggest season of the 27-year-old's career. He had 23 goals and 28 assists that year, his last fully healthy season. According to Capgeek.com, the signing is for 4 years at $4.5 million per year, which is slightly much for a potentially injured player. If healthy, though, Fleischmann should very quickly show his worth.

The Panthers also added to their new minor league affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage. They added Nolan Yonkman, a defenseman with 16 games of NHL expeirence last year, and 66 overall. The journeyman played last year for the AHL's Milwaukee Admirals and NHL's Phoenix Coyotes.

Panthers Bring Home Fan Favorite, Add 3 Others On Free Agent Frenzy

SUNRISE - The Florida Panthers made a big splash on opening day of NHL free agency. Florida began the day needing to spend around $40 million dollars, just to make the NHL mandated salary floor for 2011-12. The first order of business was to bring in veteran players, and it started with goalie Jose Theodore. But the Panthers weren't done, adding Scottie Upshall, Ed Jovanovski, and Marcel Goc.

Theodore (pronounced Joe-Say TEE-a-door) won the Hart (MVP) and Vezina (best goaltender) Trophies in 2001-02, and the Bill Masterson Memorial Trophy (Sportsmanship) in 2009-10. While last year he served as a backup, posting a 15-11-3 record with a 2.71 GAA and .916 save %, the soon to be 35 year old from Laval, Quebec will be asked to start again. He has also spent time in Washington and Colorado, but is probably best known for his time in Montreal. Theodore spent parts of 8 seasons playing with his hometown Canadiens. He has extensive playoff experience, appearing in 51 games with a 2.82 GAA and .911 save %. Theodore's deal is for 2 years with a cap hit of $1.5 million.

Upshall says goodbye to Columbus, where he was shipped to on deadline day. He spent the start of his season with the Phoenix Coyotes. Upon the signing, Upshall changed his twitter avatar to the "leaping cat", and posted:

"Ecstatic to be joining the Florida Panthers Organization!! Awesome day... Truly a dream come true."

Upshall scored a career high 22 goals last season. The Left Winger from Fort McMurray, AB is just 27, but is now with his 5th team. Upshall also has extensive playoff experience from the Phoenix Coyotes surprise run in 2009-10, scoring 3 goals and adding 2 assists in 17 playoff games. Florida is taking a slight risk with the winger, signing him for 4 years at a $3.5 million cap hit per season, but Upshall should be a key member of this club for years to come.

Upshall seen with teammate Ed Jovanovski

Ed Jovanovski returns "home". The 35 year old defenseman (happy birthday last week by the way!) was selected first overall by the Panthers in the 1994 entry draft. He went on to have 3 1/2 successful seasons with the Panthers before being traded to Vancouver for a guy named Pavel Bure (ever hear of him?) From 1999-2006, "Jovocop" stayed in Western Canada, before trading rainboots for sunscreen again, playing the last 5 years with the Phoenix Coyotes. The Windsor, ON native was given a 4 year contract worth over $4 million a season, all but ensuring he finishes his career with the team he started it all with. Jovanovski's rookie season with the Panthers is still the closest he ever got to the Stanley Cup, and you know the veteran defender wants to change his fate back where it all began.

If the worst you do in a day filled with signings is pick up Marcel Goc, then you're having a good day! Goc is the highest ever German picked in the NHL draft (unless you count Dany Heatley, but he's really Canadian), having been picked 20th overall in 2001 by San Jose. Goc is a depth guy. He'll give you 10-ish goals a year, but he was a +10 last year. He makes things happen and will be a good third liner. The 27 year old will see a cap hit of $1.7 million over 3 years.

These four join Kris Versteeg, who was acquired around 4:00 pm from the Philadelphia Flyers. They also join defenseman Brian Campbell, who was acquired at the draft from the Chicago Blackhawks and quickly signed a 5 year $7+ million dollar deal with the Panthers, and Tomas Kopecky, who was also acquired from the Blackhawks in a different deal. He signed a 4 year $3 million dollar contract just prior to the opening of free agency.

What happened today is unprecedented in the world of the new NHL. Hockey fans will love these moves, and the Panthers are very close to being a playoff team with these new players. If there is no basketball or football this season, South Florida sports fans WILL have something to cheer for come the fall!

Panthers acquire Kris Versteeg from the Philadelphia Flyers

SUNRISE - The Florida Panthers acquired right winger Kris Versteeg from the Philadelphia flyers in exchange for a second round pick in 2012 or 2013 (Florida's choice) and a 3rd round pick in 2012.

Versteeg enters his 5th season in the NHL this year. The 25 year old was acquired by the Flyers last season from Toronto. He had 21 goals and 25 assists all told last year, but ended a -9 because a lack of production by his teammates in Toronto. Panthers General Manager Dale Tallon originally acquired Versteeg from the Boston Bruins organization in the 2006-07 season. He has put up at least 20 goal seasons in each of his first 3 full years in the league, 2 of them with Tallon's Blackhawks. He joins Jack Skille, Brian Campbell and Tomas Kopecty, all former Blackhawks who are now members of the Panthers.