panoo

By BRIAN BIGGANE
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Monday, July 02, 2007

As expected, the Panthers made only small waves in the NHL free-agent pool Sunday, signing three forwards who figure to play complementary roles in the years to come.

Florida signed two players who have had 30-goal seasons in former Panther Radek Dvorak and Richard Zednik, and a potential third-line center in Brett McLean.

McLean signed a three-year deal worth $1.7 million per year, while Zednik signed for $3.25 million over two years. Dvorak also signed for two years; terms were not available.

"These players bring dimensions we're looking for," coach and General Manager Jacques Martin said. "We wanted to get more speed, and Dvorak and Zednik bring that, and more grit, and McLean brings that."

Philadelphia and Detroit made the biggest splashes of the first day, the Flyers signing former Buffalo co-captain Daniel Briere to an eight-year, $52 million deal and the Red Wings getting former New Jersey defenseman Brian Rafalski for $30 million over five years. Rafalski will replace Matthieu Schneider, who inked a two-year deal with Anaheim worth $11.25 million.

Feeling the core of a future contender was already in place, Martin eschewed the big names in favor of players who can fill specific roles.

At least one or two forward spots remain open, but Martin said he's hopeful to fill them with players who are ready to move up from the team's AHL affiliate in Rochester.

Zednik, 31, is potentially the biggest signing. He had the best years of his career from 2001-04 with Montreal, scoring 22, 31 and 26 goals in successive seasons. Dealt back to his original team, Washington, a year ago, he struggled with the Capitals and was dealt at the trade deadline to the New York Islanders.

Plagued by injuries, he had just seven goals and 14 points in 42 games last season. Martin said he expects him to play on a scoring line.

Dvorak, 30, was the Panthers' first-round pick in 1995 and was a rookie on the team that reached the Stanley Cup final the next season.

Dealt away in a trade that brought the Panthers goaltender Mike Vernon in 1999, Dvorak had 10 goals and 37 points with St. Louis last season.

McLean, 28, is a self-described late bloomer who didn't make it to the NHL until three years ago but finished last season as Colorado's second-line center, playing between Paul Stastny and Milan Hejduk.

"It's unbelievable," he said. "I've never really had a team that wanted me; I've always had to come to camp and prove myself every shift ... I can't say enough how excited I am."

The Panthers failed to reach agreements with two players rumored to be headed to Florida. Todd White signed a four-year, $9.5 million deal with Atlanta, while Viktor Kozlov signed a two-year $5 million deal with Washington. The money Kozlov received was probably double what the Panthers offered.

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