Panthers GM talks coaching search, draft on NHL Live

Monday, 06.16.2014 / 7:04 PM

By NHL.com Staff -  / NHL Live blog

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Panthers GM talks coaching search, draft on NHL Live

Florida Panthers general manager Dale Tallon was a guest of NHL Live to discuss his thought process for hiring a new coach and his team's position at the 2014 NHL Draft.

The Miami Herald reported Monday that former Pittsburgh Penguins coach Dan Bylsma, former Vancouver Canucks and Colorado Avalanche coach Marc Crawford, and former Columbus Blue Jackets coach Gerard Gallant are under serious consideration.

"It's been a lot of fun," Tallon said. I've gotten to meet a lot of interesting characters and some great coaches, some veteran guys and some new guys. I've interviewed at least a dozen coaches in the last month. The good news is they all want to come here because of the young players and the talent pool we have coming, and already have on our roster. We've narrowed it down to half a dozen, and probably down to three probably by [Tuesday], and hopefully get it done by Friday, but no later than mid-week of the draft."

Tallon's Panthers hold the first pick of the draft, to be held June 27-28 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.

"We're ready to rock and roll," Tallon said. "Everything is great. Our scouts have done a great job, we got our lists together and we'll look at it again when we get to Philadelphia, and do our final interviews with the top guys we have interest in and look forward to that Friday night, and have some fun with that first pick.

"We have a very good idea what we want and it's a good position to be in, and we're excited about it. It seems to be turning in our favor, which is a real positive thing. I've seen this happen before and I like what's going on here."