SB Nation Tampa Bay - Florida Panthers Sign Center John Maddenhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49019/tb-fave.png2012-01-04T11:35:19-05:00http://tampabay.sbnation.com/rss/stream/24460192012-01-04T11:35:19-05:002012-01-04T11:35:19-05:00Florida Panthers Sign Veteran Center John Madden
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<p>Decimated by injuries, the Florida Panthers have signed John Madden to help out along the front line. </p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.litterboxcats.com/">Florida Panthers</a> have announced the signing of veteran center <span>John Madden</span>, which should help shore up their front line which has been decimated by injuries in recent weeks. Our Florida Panthers blog<a href="http://www.litterboxcats.com/2012/1/4/2681656/florida-panthers-sign-john-madden"> Litter Box Cats</a> has more on Madden.</p>
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<p>Madden has won multiple Stanley Cups, most recently in 2010 as a member of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.secondcityhockey.com/">Blackhawks</a>. While in New Jersey, in addition to Cup wins in 2000 and 2003, he won the Selke trophy, awarded to the League's best defensive forward, for the 2000-2001 season. He brings experience, plus good faceoff and penalty killing skills to the Panthers, both areas that have needed improvement this season.</p>
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<p>Details of the contract were not readily available. Madden has 345 points in his career, and has averaged just under 24 a season in his last three, spent as a member of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.allaboutthejersey.com/">Devils</a>, Blackhawks and most recently <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hockeywilderness.com/">Wild</a>. He will be a strong veteran presence for the Panthers, and perhaps more importantly, a warm body to throw out on the ice while they struggle to get healthy.</p>
<p><i>For more on this signing and all things Panthers hockey, head over the aforementioned <a href="http://www.litterboxcats.com/">Litter Box Cats</a>. </i></p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/florida-panthers/2012/1/4/2681793/florida-panthers-sign-john-maddenJordan Ruby2011-12-28T16:28:03-05:002011-12-28T16:28:03-05:00Florida Panthers Could Sign John Madden, According To Report
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<p>Florida GM Dale Tallon has been in talks with the 38-year-old center about joining his club. </p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.litterboxcats.com/">Florida Panthers</a> are "still talking" to free-agent center <span>John Madden</span>, according to a <a href="http://miamiherald.typepad.com/flapanthers/2011/12/all-signs-point-to-john-madden-landing-with-florida-panthers-.html" target="blank">report</a> 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.</p>
<p>Madden played in 76 games for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hockeywilderness.com/">Minnesota Wild</a> in the 2010/11 season, recording 12 goals and 13 assists. He's a three-time Stanley Cup champion, with two championships with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.allaboutthejersey.com/">New Jersey Devils</a> (2000, 2003) and one with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.secondcityhockey.com/">Chicago Blackhawks</a> (2010). </p>
<p>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."</p>
<p>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."</p>
<p><em>For more on the Panthers, please visit <a href="http://www.litterboxcats.com/" target="blank">Litter Box Cats</a>, SB Nation's Panthers blog.</em></p>
https://tampabay.sbnation.com/florida-panthers/2011/12/28/2666655/florida-panthers-john-madden-nhl-rumorsEvan Dunlap