SUNRISE, Fla. The Florida Panthers are still searching for a new general manager, but that doesnt mean business ceased for the rest of the front office. On Monday, the Panthers announced they have come to terms with one of their many restricted free agents, inking defenseman Brady Keeper to a one-year, two-way contract. I took it as one last chance not to mess up again.Florida Panthers defenseman Brady Keeper skates during a training camp practice at the Ice Den in Coral Springs. He had an excellent game against Tampa and a real good training camp, Panthers head coach Joel Quenneville said of the young defenseman earlier this month in Toronto. I think that was why he earned his spot.GETTING DOWN TO BUSINESSKeeper is the first Panthers free agent, restricted or otherwise, to sign a new deal with the team.

TORONTO, ONT Jordan Eberle scored twice, including the go-ahead goal, and the New York Islanders rallied to a 4-2 win over the Florida Panthers and take a 2-0 lead in their best-of-five NHL preliminary round playoff series on Tuesday. The Islanders particularly took advantage of the Panthers' undisciplined play by scoring twice on seven power-play chances. Weve got to play with some composure in those pivotal moments, said Panthers first-year coach and three-time Stanley Cup champion Joel Quenneville. Florida is making its first playoff appearance since 2016, when the Panthers were eliminated by the Islanders in six games. Set up in the left circle, Eberle patiently waited for defenseman Brady Keeper to go down and attempt to block the shot.

You never know how things are going to play out," Quenneville said following Tuesday's practice at the Panthers Ice Den. Now that he's back with the Panthers, Tippett wants to absorb as much information as possible. It also helps that while practicing with the Panthers, Tippett and the others are going up against bigger, better, faster players than what they faced in the AHL. "Anytime you get a chance to skate with the big boys and be a part of the big group, you feel more a part of it." The lanky forward has been impressing the coaching staff with his work ethic and abilities both with and without the puck.