Florida Panthers name Dale Tallon general manager, replacing Randy Sexton

SUNRISE, Fla. - After 33 years in the Windy City, Dale Tallon is heading south.

The Florida Panthers announced Monday they've hired Tallon as their new general manager, replacing Randy Sexton. Tallon will be formally introduced at a news conference Tuesday.

"It is with great pleasure and excitement that I join the Florida Panthers,”Tallon said in a statement. "I look forward to getting to work and will immediately evaluate our club’s framework, as we diligently prepare for the upcoming draft and free agency signing period."

Tallon, 59, spent more than three decades with the Chicago Blackhawks as a player, broadcaster and front-office executive. He was named GM of the team in 2005, and helped turn around the struggling franchise, drafting future stars Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews.

Tallon was reassigned to the position of senior adviser last year, replaced by Stan Bowman.

"Dale brings with him a proven track record and an impressive franchise-building resume that we believe is the perfect fit for the future of the Panthers organization," managing partners Cliff Viner and Stu Siegel said in a statement.

Sexton's future was not immediately clear. He was appointed GM last October following the resignation of Jacques Martin. Under Sexton, the Panthers finished 32-37-13 and missed the playoffs for the eighth straight season.