panoo

By BRIAN BIGGANE
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Sunday, June 10, 2007

Expect the Panthers' goaltending quandary to be resolved within the next three weeks.

That was the word Friday from coach and General Manager Jacques Martin, who was wrapping up a week-long developmental camp in Orangeville, Ontario.

Asked how much the organization has progressed in moving toward identifying who will be in the nets next season, Martin replied, "We're maybe further along than we were, but we probably won't have a definitive answer at least until the draft."

That would be the NHL entry draft June 22-23 at Columbus, Ohio. It's notable that Roberto Luongo was both acquired and dealt away by Florida in draft-day deals. With a handful of goaltenders expected to move, the Panthers are perceived as a key player.

Martin reportedly had a keen interest in pursing Minnesota's Niklas Backstrom if he had become a free agent. When Backstrom re-signed Thursday, Manny Fernandez became a trade option, with Jean-Sebastien Giguere the lone high-end goalie on the free-agent market. But Anaheim GM Brian Burke said last week his top priority is re-signing Giguere.

"We'll either go back with the same duo or explore some trades," Martin said. "There are scenarios we're studying."

Ed Belfour, Alex Auld and Craig Anderson, all of whom could become free agents July 1, remain in the mix.

Bringing back Belfour and Auld seems extremely risky. Belfour was excellent last season, but he's 42, has a history of back problems and has serious off-ice issues. Auld lost his confidence and didn't win a game after Dec. 7.

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