Tallon: Panthers have budget to pursue big free agents

Dale Tallon will have money to spend this summer.

The Florida Panthers general manager confirmed Tuesday that he'll be able to pursue major free agents once the signing period begins July 1.

"We've identified and we like certain players," Tallon told Matthew DeFranks of the Sun-Sentinel. "We have it in our budget. We're going to do what we can to improve our team."

His statement comes as the expansion Golden Knights roll on in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, with two former Panthers on the top line, namely Reilly Smith and Jonathan Marchessault. The latter was believed to have been offered to Vegas as an incentive to take on the former's cap hit, leading to fears of a self-imposed salary cap.

That appears neither here nor there at the moment for Tallon, who'll be looking to upgrade both up front and on the blue line.

"My preference would probably be both, but it depends on what it is, and who it is, and when it is," he qualified. "I think our goals against has got to get better as well. I think it can improve. I guess defense, probably. I would like to address both needs possibly."

Florida finished 16th overall in the NHL standings but failed to clinch an Eastern Conference playoff spot, finishing a point behind New Jersey.

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