Matt Bradley and Krys Barch served as the tough guys for the Panthers last year, but with Bradley bought out and Barch off to the Devils, a new enforcer was needed.

Welcome The Stache, George Parros, to the Sunshine State. Parros brings his wildly popular personality, as well as his large, opaque, black mustache to a team that will welcome his style, and protection.

Head coach Kevin Dineen was known for his gritty style of play, and Parros will surely fit right into the coach's thoughts of what a fourth line bruiser should bring to the table. With youngsters Jonathan Huberdeau, Quinton Howden, and possibly Nick Bjugstad joining the big club next year, Parros' duties will include keeping those rookies safe.

Parros, who played college hockey at Princeton, played his first two seasons in L.A. and Colorado, respectively, and then started a six-year stint in Anaheim where he became a huge fan favorite. His style on the ice combined with his loveable and charitable contributions off the ice make him the perfect player for any organization. GM Dale Tallon is fortunate to have landed him.

Parros' ice time diminished last year, only playing in 46 games. But two years ago he played in 78 games, scoring 3 goals, 1 assist, and a -4 rating. He also had 171 penalty minutes with 97 hits. It's stats like these the Panthers are looking for next season. He wanted more ice time and he found a place to get it, as Dineen loves to roll four lines. He is not a liability on either end of the ice.

Not since Peter Worrell have the Panthers had an enforcer that has the potential to be as popular as anyone else on the team. When Worrell played for Florida from 1997-2003, fans literally came to the arena to watch him fight. He rarely let those fans down. Obviously that was back when, in large part, the NHL let men be men and police the game themselves.

Although the roles of tough guys has changed quite a bit in the modern NHL, guys like Parros are valuable assets in terms of leadership and overall team balance. Finesse with little brawn doesn't go very far in today's league.

Parros will get the ice time he covets, and the Panthers will get a guy they can unleash when needed as well as market as one of the good guys in the NHL.

Twitter @DanSpiegel

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