SUNRISE, Fla. - Florida Panthers Owner & Governor Vincent Viola announced today that Bill Zito has been named General Manager of the Panthers. If COVID-19 did take its toll on the Panthers, the team might look completely different next year. Born and raised in Miami-Dade County, David has covered South Florida sports since 2007. TERRITORY MEMBERS are the lifeblood of our Florida Panthers family. Panthers immediate future gets murky with another bad loss on eve of trade deadline, Panthers trade deadline primer: Buy or sell? The new GM could find a lot of monetary-success if he can polarize the stars appropriately. And if Quenneville turns the Panthers into a winner, once again Tallon will be watching from elsewhere. Know Your Worth. . Only the best games, only on weekends and during the holidays! Zito said Panthers management was well-prepared, too. With Zitos help, Columbus has reached the Stanley Cup playoffs in four straight years after qualifying just twice in their first 15 seasons of existence. Florida Panthers and floridapanthers.com are trademarks of the Florida Panthers Hockey Club, Ltd. NHL, the NHL Shield, the word mark and image of the Stanley Cup and NHL Conference logos are registered trademarks and NHL Draft name and logo are trademarks of the National Hockey League. The top priority for the new Florida Panthers general manager will be to immediately cut salary. This number represents the median, which is the midpoint of the ranges from our proprietary Total Pay Estimate model and based on salaries collected from our users. (Florida Panthers) SUNRISE, Fla. - The NHL Trade Deadline is exactly two weeks away, and teams are starting to put . Florida panthers are carnivores. Tallon never guided Florida beyond the first round of the postseason and the Panthers reached the playoffs just three times with Tallon at the helm. The Panthers were eliminated from the playoffs Friday, falling to the New York Islanders in four games. Everything is better in a group! Mobile ticketing is the most convenient way to manage your tickets and parking. He has been an integral part of the success and growth of the Columbus Blue Jackets organization from player evaluation and scouting to contract negotiations and cap management. Led by General Manager Bill Zito, the Panthers are coming off their best season in franchise history. All NHL logos and marks and NHL team logos and marks as well as all other proprietary materials depicted herein are the property of the NHL and the respective NHL teams and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of NHL Enterprises, L.P. Use arrows to navigate between autocomplete results. Zito joins a braintrust that includes a three-time Stanley Cup champion in coach Joel Quenneville. Per HC Paul Maurice, Alex Lyon will start in net vs. Wild. He's on the record admiring some of them -- captain Aleksander Barkov, in particular -- but one assumes there will be changes. And bring them along and get some leadership to help them along, and thats what excites me.. Florida is also about to begin a stretch where theyll play almost exclusively on the road, with nine of the teams next 10 contests coming away from FLA Live Arena. like one would say "curses!" Get started with your Free Employer Profile, average salary for a Manager is $67,877 per year in United States, The Ultimate Job Interview Preparation Guide. "If it means that we're expanding opportunities for people . Patience might also be the only way to approach one of the more controversial aspects of the Panthers' current roster: their goaltending. Mike Hoffman and Evgenii Dadonov are both pending-free agents whose salary would just nearly account for the second half of the $10 million that needs to be voided. Awarded a franchise on December 10, 1992, the Panthers officially began play during the 1993-94 season and are owned by Vincent Viola with Matthew Caldwell serving as President & CEO, Bill Zito. Bill is all that.. "They're tough. Its a double-edged sword. David Dwork joined the WPLG Local 10 News team in August 2019. We'll arrive at the right decisions with the right amount of communication and collaboration. Owen Tippett has fallen far from the expectations fans had for him when he was drafted. This year, while it may appear that Floridas roster is pretty stacked (and it is), multiple sources have told Local 10 News that Zito is looking to make another big splash ahead of the Trade Deadline. But I won't run in and say, 'Get rid of 'em!'". But that might not necessarily mean shipping a bunch of players out the door. Primary Arena: BB&T Center. "There was an instant connection from the first moment we met," said team president Matthew Caldwell, who also called Zito "the most well-rounded candidate that we came across" and someone who "understands how to make a place a great destination for players to go to.". This is a franchise in desperate need of postseason success. It all lies on the effectiveness of a first-time GM and a stingy, desperate owners group. My Florida Panthers Account Manager Learn More Learn More Learn More Learn More Learn More Learn More Learn More Learn More Learn More Learn More Learn More Learn More The Official Florida Panthers Membership Hub Florida Panthers Account Manager is the best way to manage your tickets. In his time with the Columbus organization, the Blue Jackets secured playoff berths in five of the last seven seasons and were one of just three teams to qualify for the playoffs in each of the last four seasons. The Florida Panthers will host their second Grateful Dead Night of the season on March 11 against the Winnipeg Jets! They only season they advanced past the first round was when they went to the Stanley Cup Final, back in 1996. "We are thrilled to welcome Bill Zito as General Manager of the Florida Panthers," said Viola. And his to-do list is very, very daunting. Take a Virtual Tour and learn how you can join Panthers Territory today. After ten years, the marriage in South Florida between general manager Dale Tallon and the Florida . In 2018, season-ticket holders complained about new changes made to the format. The team has had ten general managers since their inception. Some on the Florida side of the conversation would blurt out "Jarmo!" He was linked with many other openings. "I would like to thank the South Florida fans and community for the last 10 years, and the Viola family for the last seven with this franchise," Tallon said. Zito's primary interview with owner Vinny Viola, his son Michael Viola and Caldwell lasted roughly eight and a half hours. Before Zito was hired by the Panthers, you could pencil in the 55-year-old executive's name onto any list of candidates for open general manager jobs. The team tried to remedy this by giving holders discounts in the team store and at concessions but many noted that the discounts were fairly negligible. Led by General Manager Bill Zito, the Panthers are coming off their best season in franchise history. Panthers hire Blue Jackets' Bill Zito as new . The organization is on the. In an effort to stay competitive, its likely that the Panthers simply re-sign whichever will take the cheaper deal. The Panthers extensive search led them to interview about two dozen candidates, ranging from assistant general managers, such as Zito, to television analysts, such as former Florida goaltender Kevin Weekes. Copyright 1999-2020 Florida Panthers Hockey Club, Ltd and the National Hockey League. The dance began: How much does a candidate give away in an interview that long? Terms have apparently been reached with a new Florida Panthers general manager. Entering play on Monday, the Panthers have the fourth-highest point total in the league, with their 79 points in 55 games only trailing Colorado (85 points in 56 games), Carolina (83 points in 56 games) and Tampa Bay (80 points in 55 games). NHL trade deadline tracker: Will the underachieving Panthers buy or sell (or neither)? after being foiled. Terms have apparently been reached with a new Florida Panthers general manager. "I don't think people care about what you think as much as they care about how you think.". The Panthers have five defensive spots pretty much set in stone but adding any of the aforementioned d-men would bump the entire group up to another level. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has documented males as far north as Georgia. NHL trade deadline: Winners and losers, including the Bruins, Devils and Bruce Boudreau? Florida Panthers /. The salary starts at $93,964 per year and goes up to $186,884 per year for the highest level of seniority. Attendance in Sunrise has been falling since 2015-16. Senior vice president of hockey operations and assistant general manager Eric Joyce will likely continue to oversee the team's AHL club. Your input helps Glassdoor refine our pay estimates over time. But this is Zitos first time being in the thick of things, as a stand-alone NHL GM. For Zito, patience is a virtue, although it wasn't always that way. I probably coached a lot of his players. Florida Panthers DIRECTOR, PREMIUM SALES Sunrise, FL 5d Florida Panthers AV Technician For that reason, if any moves are made, they will likely need to include some current rostered players in order to balance out the incoming salaries and make them fit under the cap. He was often called "The Architect", or "Bow Tie Bill" for the bow tie he wore. The Panthers need to prioritize keeping their most loyal fans happy, simply to guarantee consistent income. Caldwell said Zitos contract is a five-year deal. Two of the Blue Jackets last five All-Stars were drafted by the team and came up through Cleveland with Zito at the helm. Only four players drafted by Florida during Tallons tenure played in an All-Star Game and three of those Barkov, defenseman Aaron Ekblad and left wing Jonathan Huberdeau were top-three picks, who have combined for just four All-Star appearances. He made a big move at last seasons deadline, acquiring Sam Bennett from the Calgary Flames, and another at the NHL Draft last summer, trading with Buffalo for the services of Sam Reinhart. Zito comes in with the backing of ownership to make the changes he feels are necessary to level them up. We have not seen our efforts come to fruition. Theres one clear-cut way to guarantee good attendance: get a lot of season-ticket holders. More Information Aleksi Saarela has done well in the minors but hasnt found his groove in the NHL. The Official Site of the Florida Panthers. Copyright 1999-2020 Florida Panthers Hockey Club, Ltd and the National Hockey League. In turn, I'm going to give you 100% as a general manager, and do everything I can to help this team win.". The Panthers have been very busy in their search and may have a new general manager within the week. The Florida Panthers are a community focused organization led by an authentic management team that served our country and now serves the South Florida community. SUNRISE, Fla. The NHL Trade Deadline is exactly two weeks away, and teams are starting to put wheels in motion ahead of the annual swap meet. Florida has playoff potential. When Zito left to join the Blue Jackets front office, Acme was the eighth-highest-grossing agency in the sport. The Florida Panthers have one of the worst prospect pools in the entire NHL. Show your Panthers pride and tweet at us with #FromTheTerritory, Click to view our upcoming Vamos Gatos! "But we'll be fine.". For a team that was clearly cutting corners wherever possible, this was the worst possible reaction. Florida Panthers president Matt Caldwell presents new general manager Bill Zito with his own team sweater at a virtual press conference on Sept. 2, 2020. "A lot of things are what-ifs. "I look forward to getting to know him a lot better. So the last thing I want to do is come in and be knee-jerk about it," Zito said. Latest videos by the Florida Panthers! Quenneville and Zito are essentially outsiders coming in to audit the organization. Theyll lie somewhere in the middle of two extremes: high-end playoffs and relocation. All Rights Reserved. Glassdoor has salaries, wages, tips, bonuses, and hourly pay based upon employee reports and estimates. GM Bill Zito defends Paul Maurice, Panthers process near the end of disappointing season, Mysterious creature seen hopping along rainforest river for first time in 24 years, Little dragon found on uninhabited Australian island is a new species. The coach has had a year to evaluate the roster and the system. Either way, eyes are on future for Florida, Seven things the Panthers need to do on a 7-game homestand to get back into playoff hunt, Short-handed Panthers keep playoff hopes afloat with dominant start, huge win in Tampa. They might have grabbed a beer in a group, he said, but didn't have the kind of personal relationship they'll have now. It's like gears, right? This number represents the median, which is the midpoint of the ranges from our proprietary Total Pay Estimate model and based on salaries collected from our users. Teams that drafted new top prospects With his family gathered in their living room, Zito . General Manager: Bill Zito. "I'm humbled and honored to accept the position of General Manager of the Florida Panthers," said Zito. She thinks it's one of the coolest things ever," Zito said. FloridaPanthers.com is the official Web site of the Florida Panthers. The process was exhilarating.". Its coming from Cuba, weather forecasters say, Why were Panthers the only team not to make trade ahead of deadline? Related Searches:All Manager Salaries|All Florida Panthers Salaries. Last offseason, Florida hired coach Joel Quenneville after he helped lead the Chicago Blackhawks to three Stanley Cups last decade and signed superstar goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky to a seven-year, $70 million deal after he twice won the Vezina Trophy with the Blue Jackets. Obviously, you have to be a great talent evaluator and a team builder and, at the end of the day, to build a team you have to have great hockey sense, Caldwell said. Zito, 55, was born in Pittsburgh, raised in Milwaukee and played for the Yale Bulldogs. Arena: FLA Live Arena. In June of 2019, Zito was promoted to the Blue Jackets Senior Vice President of Hockey Operations, Associate General Manager and Alternate Governor. During that extended trip will be when the Trade Deadline arrives, and while the Panthers are set up nicely to make a run at the franchises first Stanley Cup, its no secret that Zito will make any and every move in his power if it makes the team better than it was before. Zito was joined as a finalist with Montreal's Marc Bergevin and Lou Lamoriello of the New York Islanders. A couple of times, I felt that way in the course of an interview. Enter Search Term. All Rights Reserved. FloridaPanthers.com is the official Web site of the Florida Panthers. He handled our team really well.". Additional pay could include bonus, stock, commission, profit sharing or tips. Look who's here! Because you might not, you know?". Stream full replays of every game "Maybe I should start a consulting business," Zito said with a laugh. I can just tell you how I'm going to be: With a dedication to hard work, a commitment to doing this, to work harder than anybody else," he said. NHL trade deadline: Winners and losers, including the Bruins, Devils and Bruce Boudreau? It was enjoyable. It's believed that the Panthers will look outside the organization for a new GM. He's since leaned on the former Blue Jacket for information and insight about his new team. He brings great experience to our club and possesses a strong business acumen.". Draft grades | Every pick, analysis Tallon wasn't there for those Chicago titles; he was fired less than a year after delivering Quenneville. He left Thursday's contest just 2:01 into the first period. The NHL has since opened up an investigation into Tallon after he allegedly used a racial slur while with Florida in Toronto earlier this summer for the 22-team playoffs. This caused some groups or families to pay upwards of over-$1000 just to park at the games for the year. More analysis from the 2020 draft , Since Zito ran the pro scouting with Columbus, he had a familiarity with the Florida roster. "After an extensive search, I am proud and excited to bring Bill Zito on board with the Panthers as our General Manager" said President & CEO Matt Caldwell. The Florida Panthers are a community focused organization led by an authentic management team that served our country and now serves the South Florida community. How much do Florida Panthers employees make? He'll figure it out. The organization is on the rise and is experiencing success both on and off the ice. While he is an experienced agent of 18 years, and AHL GM of five years, this is definitely going to mark a bit of a new world for Zito. All-in-all, it was enough cuts to outrage fans. Flyers GM: Red Wings nixed van Riemsdyk trade, Avs' Makar OK'd to return 2nd time from protocol, Wild acquire defenseman Klingberg from Ducks, Sabres add size up front, get Greenway from Wild, Penguins acquire defenseman Kulikov from Ducks, Sources: No discipline for Watson hit on Motte, Surging Bruins fastest to 100 pts. Florida Panthers general manager Bill Zito speaks to the media on June 2, 2021. Itll be a fortnight before we find out. Panthers official NHL Team Shop. Tallon, then in Chicago, hired Quenneville to coach the Blackhawks in 2008 and wound up watching him win three Stanley Cups there in a six-year span. If it wasnt already apparent enough, the teams call for a voiding of $10 million in salary speaks volumes. He attended law school at the University of Wisconsin and served as an assistant coach for the Badgers varsity hockey team and a radio color commentator for Badger hockey. I don't know if that's good or bad," Quenneville joked during a news conference last week. Visit FloridaPanthers.com/Memberships or call 954-835-PUCK for more information. "This is a guy that's paid his dues in a lot of different areas in the hockey business," said Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar, who worked under Zito while coaching the Blue Jackets' AHL affiliate. The Panthers are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Hockey League (NHL). while happy tears flowed. The estimated total pay for a Manager at Florida Panthers is $77,753 per year. Florida Panthers general manager Bill Zito speaks to the media on June 2, 2021. Become an insider and sign up now for the Florida Panthers newsletter and more. He brings great experience to our club and possesses a strong business acumen.. While still a good prospect, hes not likely for the stardom that Florida needs. It's our new GM! Resiliency runs in the family. NHL Postseason Central ", "N.H.L. The estimated base pay is $57,890 per year. To the surprise of no one, Florida Panthers general manager Bill Zito has been named one of the three finalists for the Jim Gregory GM of the Year Award. Copyright 2022 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved. The organization is on the rise and is experiencing success both on and off the ice. Florida panthers occur in the peninsula of Florida, primarily south of Orlando. 1999-2023 Ticketmaster. The team was founded as an expansion franchise on December 10, 1992. He was always an attractive option, having founded the Acme World Sports player agency before his run as assistant general manager and then vice president of hockey operations under GM Jarmo Kekalainen with the Blue Jackets. The Official Site of the Florida Panthers. They've had to grow up a little too much for kids their age," he said. They're resilient.". Zito, 55, joins the Panthers after seven years with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Record: 37-14-5 (79 points), Finished 2nd in NHL Central Division ( Schedule and Results ) Coach: Joel Quenneville (37-14-5) Captain: Aleksander Barkov. Its a bad situation for anyone to be in, much less a brand new GM in their first general manager position. You were making ground: Someone would ask you a question, you'd respond, and then the follow-up would be based on your response, because maybe there was something unique that you had said," he said. Its going to be an uphill battle for Bill Zito, a road he has to face in his first-ever GM role. Find out the highest paying jobs at Florida Panthers and salaries by location, department, and level. General Manager Bill Zito has done an exemplary job building a roster that can and should compete for the Stanley Cup when the postseason arrives in a couple months. The native of Pittsburgh, PA, joined the Blue Jackets in August of 2013 as assistant general manager. More Information ", Emily Kaplan and Greg Wyshynski take you around the NHL with the latest news, big questions and special guests every episode. On Sept. 1, Zito was named the new general manager of the Florida Panthers, having served as Columbus Blue Jackets' assistant GM since 2013. I can't wait to get to work.". Florida Panthers Account Manager is the best way to manage your tickets. The only other top-end potential lies in Gregori Denisenko, who performed alright for his age in the KHL. Led by General Manager Bill Zito, the Panthers are coming off their best season in franchise history. Conference: Eastern. Thatll surely be a priority for the new Florida Panthers general manager. He served in that role for two years before also taking on the role of General Manager of the American Hockey League's Cleveland Monsters (then Lake Erie Monsters) in 2015-16. Division: Atlantic. After a brief moment of confusion, Zito's three children -- twin 9-year-old daughters and a 7-year-old son -- jumped on him, tumbling down to the floor, chanting "daddy's got a GM job!" Its no secret that Zito has been looking to bolster Floridas back line. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'7B3Cv-bGSw1Xz0SAM7Xvfw',sig:'qOrL1wcsNlDimfcCmVVqTCIQAL0ewnZPlOoILl6-pUw=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1209298155',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); Gabriel Foley serves as the Senior Editor and SEO Analyst for Last Word on Hockey. Oddly, history is repeating itself on that front. Spencer Knight is incredible and seemingly bound for stardom in net but he doesnt have much in the way of a supporting cast. GM Bill Zito explains. In some cases, he make it through to the final few candidates, only to fall short of achieving his dream. in NHL history, NHL trade tracker: Latest deals and grades, NHL trade grades: Sabres smartly buy low on Greenway, NHL trade deadline 2023: Fantasy hockey live reaction, Road to the men's Frozen Four: Conference tournaments at a glance, Chasing history in Boston: The numbers behind the Bruins' wild 2022-23 season, McDavid, then who? They've made the conference quarterfinals once since 2012, and just five times in franchise history dating back to 1993-94. They made the Qualifying Round this year and, with some help, couldve easily made the First Round. NHL News, Analysis, History, Schedule, Rumors. Zito has proven to be more than capable at not only pulling off big moves, but having them pay off immediately (see: Bennett, Sam). They are skilled at hunting white-tailed deer, feral hogs, raccoons, and other medium-sized mammals and reptiles. His mother, Priscilla Zito, had a second bout of pancreatic cancer last year. If it werent for teams like the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins, Florida might very well bear the title themself. Better marketing of star players like Barkov and Ekblad also seems crucial. The organization is on the rise and is experiencing success both on and off the ice. Does he have another one in him? After a brief-but-intense search that featured high-end names like Mike Gillis, Peter Chiarelli, and Eddie Olczyk the Panthers have agreed to terms with an out-of-left-field nameBill Zito. Copyright 1999-2020 Florida Panthers Hockey Club, Ltd and the National Hockey League. Floridas style of play only magnifies those talents, with Interim Head Coach Andrew Brunette maintaining the high-pace, quick transition, puck possession systems the team has been learning and implementing for the past several years. More NHL content. "Columbus was really hard to play against, and had a really strong identity. The average salary for a Manager is $67,877 per year in United States, which is 12% lower than the average Florida Panthers salary of $77,224 per year for this job. Could the additional money loss force their hand into dealing away high-earners like Aleksander Barkov or Aaron Ekblad? "It's by definition, right? Florida Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky will be out with a lower-body injury. Bringing in Reinhart cost Zito a 2022 first-round pick and high-end goalie prospect Devon Levi. If you can get Player A going -- who might be stagnated right now -- does that jump-start Player B as well? Get one turning and the machine starts working better. Prior to his time with the Blue Jackets, Zito used his legal acumen to found ACME World Sports, LLC and develop it into one of the leading hockey agencies known for representing talents such as: Tim Thomas, John Madden, Antii Niemi, Kimmo Timonen, Tuukka Rask and Andy Greene. "My family and I want to thank Matt Caldwell and the Viola Family for their confidence in me for this opportunity with the Panthers. If one agrees to bend to the Panthers money situation, hell surely be the one to stay. General manager Bill Zito gives Paul Maurice an emphatic vote of confidence. Occasionally, Panthers brass would push Zito on some specifics. The scouts with the Blue Jackets had a philosophy: If you're not watching him 20 times, at least watch the player 10 times. Roster and Statistics. Previous Season Next Season. That ouster, the end of yet another season of high expectations that didn't deliver as planned, sealed Tallon's fate. Everyone was sharing and talking. If no results appear, use Enter to do a full site search. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. Shifting focus to the Panthers forward group, Local 10 News learned that the team is taking a long, hard look at Philadelphia star forward Claude Giroux. FloridaPanthers.com is the official Web site of the Florida Panthers. Sales Based on 26 salaries Account Executive 10 salaries Sales Associate 6 salaries Business Based on 10 salaries Manager 6 salaries Chief Information Officer (CIO) 1 salary View More Administrative Zito was asked how his tenure was going to be any different from the general managers who came before him. Enter Search Term. Enter Search Term. The agreement, following months of settlement discussions, was approved by Miami . Salary Cap Table 2022-2023 Contracts Active Multi-Year Summary Positional Spending Free Agents . After a brief-but-intense search that featured high-end names like Mike Gillis, Peter Chiarelli, and Eddie Olczyk the Panthers have agreed to terms with an out-of-left-field name Bill Zito.