GM Dale Tallon met with Stephen Weiss' agent again yesterday to keep working on a potential deal that may keep the long-tenured Panther in South Florida.

Center is still a need on this team, especially for this next season, as the current potential centers are Drew Shore, Marcel Goc, Shawn Matthias, Peter Mueller, and Nick Bjugstad. While this group isn't one to sneeze at, it also is one that won't be putting up big numbers...yet.

If Nathan MacKinnon ends up in Colorado and Seth Jones becomes a Panther, there is still a glaring hole at the center position, especially in terms of experience and point production. A finally-healthy Weiss would flourish playing with Huberdeau for a full season, and while Weiss is not a true #1 center in the NHL, the Panthers could still benefit from him being in that position until Bjugstad grows into that role in two seasons.

Is Weiss worth the $5.5 million he is reportedly asking for? No. Is there wiggle room there with no state income tax in Florida? Absolutely. With shedding the horrible $4 million Filip Kuba contract next year, as well as George Parros($937,500), giving Weiss his raise me be easier to absorb long term.

Bringing Weiss back would be positive both on and off the ice, and it is no secret he loves South Florida. But as Tallon said, sometimes a player only has one chance to be a UFA and this is Weiss' time. Will a change of scenery or continued home cooking end up being more important?

Dan Spiegel...
Credentialed Panthers Media
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