BY GEORGE RICHARDS
Jacques Martin signed a new contract with the Panthers that lasts through the 2011-12 season, the team announced Friday.
He has plenty of work to do in the coming months.
Martin coached the Panthers the past three seasons before being relieved of that duty last month, and one of his main priorities is finding the 10th coach in the team's history.
On Friday, he said the search for a new coach has begun, although he said there is no set date by which he would like to have the position filled. Martin also is negotiating with players whose contracts have or will soon expire, has to complete a deal with the team's minor-league affiliate in Rochester, N.Y., and sign two prospects to contracts in the coming weeks or they go back into the draft.
''There's no shortage of work ahead,'' he said from his office at BankAtlantic Center. ``The next six weeks are very big for myself, our staff and this organization.''
Martin said he has a list, which is growing by the week, of potential coaching candidates. Fired coaches Ron Wilson (San Jose), Paul Maurice (Toronto) and Joel Quenneville (Colorado) are among those Martin mentioned, along with former coaches Pat Quinn (Toronto) and Pat Burns (New Jersey).
New York Rangers assistant Perry Pearn, Pittsburgh assistant Andre Savard, former Colorado and Atlanta coach Bob Hartley and minor-league coach Randy Cunneyworth also are expected to get serious consideration for the job.
''There are a lot of choices,'' said Martin, whose team is competing with a half dozen other NHL franchises that are searching for a coach. ``We have to find the person who fits our needs and is the perfect match for our organization.''
Florida's main offseason priority is locking up All-Star defenseman Jay Bouwmeester to a long-term contract. Bouwmeester can be a restricted free agent this summer, with the Panthers able to match any deal Bouwmeester might reach with another team -- or let him go for a number of draft picks.
The Panthers would like to see Bouwmeester signed soon. Martin said he has only had a few conversations with Bouwmeester's agent, and negotiations are expected to heat up once Bouwmeester finishes his play with Team Canada in the world championships. Canada played Sweden in the semifinals Friday in Quebec City.
''We don't have to have it done by the draft,'' Martin said. ``We have time this summer.''
Martin also is working on signing former first-round pick Michael Frolik to a contract, and if Florida doesn't sign him by June 1, he can reenter the draft. Florida also is trying to work on entry-level deals with right wing Brady Calla (second round, 2006) and defenseman Mike Caruso (third round, 2006).
''We're making some progress,'' Martin said.
Martin also said that the team was close to working out a deal to become the sole parent club of the Rochester Americans for next season. The franchise has had financial issues, but it has a new majority owner and things seem to be moving ahead.
Florida shared the Rochester affiliation with Buffalo the past three seasons, with the Sabres employing the coaching staff. Martin also will have to hire a coaching staff for Rochester (Cunneyworth could return as head coach, his contract with Buffalo expiring this offseason) and stock the team.
<!-- story_mapbox.comp --> <!-- /story_mapbox.comp -->
