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Florida Panthers Could Sign John Madden, According To Report

Florida GM Dale Tallon has been in talks with the 38-year-old center about joining his club.

The Florida Panthers are "still talking" to free-agent center John Madden, according to a report from George Richards of the Miami Herald. Panthers general manager Dale Tallon told Richards the team is in discussions with Madden and is trying to decide if the 12-year veteran is "worth" pursuing.

Madden played in 76 games for the Minnesota Wild in the 2010/11 season, recording 12 goals and 13 assists. He's a three-time Stanley Cup champion, with two championships with the New Jersey Devils (2000, 2003) and one with the Chicago Blackhawks (2010).

One issue holding up a potential Madden signing is his conditioning. “We don't know how long [getting in shape is] going to take," Tallon told Richards. "[...] But John has always been a good skater. And he's a pretty solid guy, has been for a long time."

Richards describes Madden as "a strong face-off guy" who "would help the Panthers up the middle of the ice" and "be a strong asset on the penalty kill."

For more on the Panthers, please visit Litter Box Cats, SB Nation's Panthers blog.

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