Panthers keeping Sexton as GM
HELSINKI -- The Florida Panthers looked around, but then finally realized their new general manager was right under their noses.
The Panthers removed the "interim" tag from Randy Sexton's job title Friday, making him the full-time GM of the club. Sexton had been acting GM after taking over for Jacques Martin on June 1. Doug MacLean and Doug Risebrough were among the candidates interviewed for the job this summer, but the team opted to stick with Sexton.
"As Randy took us through the draft and through free agency, we realized that he was the right guy for the job," Panthers president and COO Michael Yormark said at a news conference before Friday's season opener against the Chicago Blackhawks in Finland.
"As we worked through the summer, we realized Randy was the natural fit."
Sexton, who signed a multiyear deal, had a busy offseason, signing star winger David Booth to a six-year extension and acquiring assets in exchange for the departing Jay Bouwmeester at June's NHL draft in Montreal.
He also brought in several new faces, including second-line center Steve Reinprecht.
"I thought if I worked hard and delivered the results that those results would speak for themselves," Sexton said. "I was hoping this day would come, and I'm thankful and grateful that it did."
Panthers coach Pete DeBoer was hired by Martin, so there was the chance the promotion would have been awkward. But DeBoer and Sexton get along, making for an easier transition.
"Pete was aware of what was going on during this process," Yormark said.
Talks between Sexton and Panthers ownership heated up as the team arrived in Europe.
"I think over the last four to five days things really started to crystallize," Yormark said.
Sexton, who spent eight years as president and general manager of the Ottawa Senators, joined the Panthers' front office as assistant GM in January 2007.
"I want to thank Michael and the ownership group for showing this confidence in me," Sexton said. "This is something I've aspired to for a long time."
Panthers president Michael Yormark said Sexton is the "ideal individual" to take over as general manager.
"Randy possesses all the necessary qualities to be a successful general manager in the National Hockey League and he has done a tremendous job over the past two seasons in shaping our team through the draft, free agency and trades," Yormark said. "He has a vast knowledge of our entire organization and we are confident that, along with head coach Pete DeBoer, our club is positioned for success."
Information from The Associated Press and ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun was used in this report.
