Panthers give GM Martin extension

Martin, 55, joined the Florida Panthers organization in May of 2004 as the club?s head coach, before assuming the duties of the club?s general manager on Sept. 3, 2006. Since taking over the reigns as general manager, Martin has been responsible for re-tooling the Panthers roster by re-signing numerous key players, along with acquiring key free agent acquisitions. Most notably, he acquired goaltender Tomas Vokoun in a trade at the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, as well as signing center Stephen Weiss, right wing Nathan Horton and defenseman Bryan Allen to long term contract extensions last year.

Martin was also influential in acquiring the Panthers prospect Shawn Matthias in a trade for Todd Bertuzzi at the 2007 trade deadline, while also signing free agent center Brett McLean, right wing Richard Zednik and right wing Radek Dvorak. Additionally this past season, Martin acquired defensemen Jassen Cullimore and Magnus Johansson in order to fill the roster void, left due to injury in the team?s defense, while also acquiring right wing Wade Belak at the 2008 trade deadline.

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