--Keaton Ellerby signed a one-year deal with the Panthers on April 23, electing to take the same base salary he had in 2010-11 for the security of a one-way deal.

"It's nice to put the AHL in the rear-view mirror," Ellerby said.

The 22-year-old defenseman finished his second NHL season with the Panthers and became a solid player. Ellerby played in 54 games with the Panthers last season after just 22 in his rookie campaign. Ellerby found himself playing much more in his second season as former coach Pete DeBoer praised his work ethic and said "we developed him the right way."

Ellerby was the tenth overall pick in the 2007 draft. He's not scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent until after the 2015-16 season.

"I have to come in and earn my ice time, show I'm ready to be a full-time NHLer," Ellerby said. "I have to step up, play a bigger role, help the team get where we want to be... This contract gives me some stability, confidence in where I'm going to be. It's nice to know you can settle in, do the things the team wants to do."

Said assistant general manager Mike Santos: "He finally emerged this year and showed he can be a full-time NHL defenseman in the future. The way he played in the last half of the season showed some confidence with the puck. It made sense, he can be in our top seven and contribute regularly."

Ellerby was the first of eight restricted free agents to sign this offseason.

--The Panthers have signed a couple of their prospects, inking forward John McFarland and defenseman Alex Petrovic to entry level deals.

McFarland was picked in the second round (33rd overall in 2010); Petrovic was taken three picks later. Florida had already signed forward Quinton Howden (25th overall) before the end of the regular season.

"Alex is another one of our top draft picks from last year that we are pleased to have signed," Dale Tallon said. "He is a big and physical player who played very well in Red Deer this season, leading all defensemen on his team with 57 points. Alex is committed to working hard in the development process and we are confident that he will play a big part in our organization's future success."

--The Panthers have a few participants in the World Championships. Defenseman Dmitry Kulikov will play for Russia, with Clay Wilson and Jack Skille representing the United States. Equipment manager Chris Scoppetto will also work for Team USA.

Former coach Pete DeBoer is an assistant for Team Canada.

--The Panthers failed to move up in the draft lottery and will pick third overall -- same as last season when the team drafted defenseman Erik Gudbranson. It's expected that Gudbranson will be signed to an entry-level contract by training camp. Barring injury, Gudbranson will participate in the Panthers' rookie development camp in Coral Springs, Fla., in July.

"I like where we're sitting," Tallon said.

--Goalie Brian Foster, a fifth-round pick in 2005, has been signed to an entry level contract and will join the team at training camp. Foster, who was signed to an AHL contract, played for ECHL Cincinnati last season.

QUOTE TO NOTE
"It's wasn't an easy decision, a lot of sleepless nights. We are going in a different direction, different players, different personnel, different style of play. I felt that change was needed to move forward and what was the best fit for our organization moving forward. It's not about the past, it's about the future. It's not whose right or whose wrong. It's about different philosophy. Pete's a good coach, a good guy and I was hoping we'd be together for a long time." -- General manager Dale Tallon, on the decision to fire coach Pete DeBoer.

Copyright (C) 2011 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.