Florida Panthers Sign Free Agents

     The Florida Panthers went on a spending spree during the first day of free agency in the NHL on Tuesday. General manager Dale Tallon was able to sign six different players with a wealth of NHL experience. It was the first time that the Panthers went through this procedure with new owner Vincent Viola.
     Center Dave Bolland played last season with the Toronto Maple Leafs and had eight goals with four assists in 23 games. Bolland played with the Chicago Blackhawks prior to that for seven seasons and won two Stanley Cup championships in 2010 and 2013. He scored the series-winning goal in the 2013 Stanley Cup Final against the Boston Bruins. Tallon drafted him in 2004 when he was the Blackhawks assistant general manager.
     The Cats also signed forward Jussi Jokinen. He has been known for his high scoring percentage in shootouts. Jokinen had 21 goals and 36 assists in 81 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins last year. Jokinen has scored many timely goals against the Panthers during his nine-year NHL career.
     Right wing Shawn Thornton was added for his veteran status and bruising play. He was with the Boston Bruins in 2013-14 as he compiled five goals and three assists in 64 games. He helped the Bruins capture their first Stanley Cup title in 39 years when they won in 2011. Thornton played with the Chicago Blackhawks from 2002 until 2006 under Tallon when he was general manager, assistant general manager and director of player personnel.
     Florida got a fourth-line center with skills in penalty killing as they acquired Derek MacKenzie. He played for the Columbus Blue Jackets during 2013-14 and contributed nine goals with nine assists in 81 games. MacKenzie played the last seven seasons with Columbus. 
     The Panthers added a veteran defenseman with the signing of Willie Mitchell. During his four-year stint with the Los Angeles Kings, he won two Stanley Cup titles with them in 2012 and 2014. He added one goal and 11 assists in 76 games for the 2013-14 campaign.
     Al Montoya was signed as a backup goalie for Roberto Luongo. He played last year with the Winnipeg Jets where he went 13-8-3 with a 2.30 goals-against-average and two shutouts in 28 games.