--General manager Jacques Martin's contract has been extended through the 2011-12 season, the team announced May 16.

--Enforcer Wade Belak had shoulder surgery soon after the season ended and will spend much of the off-season in rehabilitation.

Belak will do so with a little more job security, however.

On May 5, the Panthers announced they had signed Belak to a two-year contract. Belak, who came to the Panthers on a trade deadline day deal, could have become a free agent this summer but had said he wanted to remain with the Panthers. Late last season, Belak had expressed an interest in staying on with the Panthers.

"It was reciprocal," GM Jacques Martin said in a phone call Monday afternoon. "(The deal) was done pretty quickly. It took us a while to get that kind of player, but once I got him from Toronto, I felt I wanted to re-sign him. When he joined our club, he brought a presence on the ice and was a good influence off the ice. His teammates respected him. He was looked up to."

The Panthers acquired Belak for a fifth-round draft pick in this June's draft.

Belak had shoulder surgery earlier this summer and says he's looking to be ready for contact in August. Belak says he had been playing with pain for over a year, with the shoulder affecting his workout regimen.

"It feels real good already," he said. "I'll be ready for training camp."

The Panthers had been looking for a physical presence and feels that Belak fits the bill. Belak only played 17 games with the Panthers but feels he fit in -- and looks forward to being part of the organization for at least the next few years.

"As far as the toughness factor, I think I filled that role," he said. "I sold myself as far as a bona fide enforcer for the Panthers, and the players around me appreciate and respect what I do. If I can give room to the guys that are supposed to score the goals and not have to worry about the intimidation factor, it is huge, and then I know I have done my job."

--The Panthers also signed C Kamil Kreps to a two-year contract, the pending restricted free agent rewarded for a surprising rookie season in 2007-08.

Kreps, 23, made $495,000 last season and became a very valuable part of the team. Kreps started the season in the minors, but came up and was playing on Florida's top line at the end of the season. He ended with eight goals and 17 assists.

"We called him up and he never went back," Martin said. "He showed he could play at this level."

--The Panthers have seven players participating in the upcoming World Championships in Canada, with David Booth and Craig Anderson playing for Team USA, with Bouwmeester starring for Canada. Other players include Olli Jokinen (Finland), Ville Peltonen (Finland), Magnus Johansson (Sweden) and Branislav Mezei (Russia). Former Panther Ruslan Salei (Colorado) is playing for Belarus.

--As of May 5, top prospect Michael Frolik hasn't agreed to a professional contract with the Panthers, and if he doesn't sign by June 1, he can re-enter the draft. Frolik isn't the only young player the Panthers are worried about. Florida also hasn't come to financial agreements with RW Brady Calla (second round, 2006) or D Mike Caruso (third round, 2006).

"I'm very optimistic we'll have those three guys signed," Martin said. "We've done a lot of work with them. We've worked hard at it."

When asked what was holding up the works, Martin said "it's just a process. Some agents want to get it done right away, others want to wait until the last minute."

The Panthers are also in negotiations to sign D Keaton Ellerby (tenth overall pick in 2007) to an entry-level contract so the 19-year-old can join the team for training camp in September.

QUOTE TO NOTE
"I'm glad to get this contract done, so I can get going and concentrate on things knowing I've got a job in Florida." -- RW Wade Belak, after signing a two-year deal on May 5.

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