Quotes From JM on Bouwmeester

4.8 Million deal
Would have been higher if they went to arb.

"We're real happy to have been able to get an agreement with Jay and his agent,'' general manager Jacques Martin said. "We feel it satisfied both parties. It’s a fair deal for us, a fair deal for what he brings to the table. He’s a young player, one who plays a lot of minutes and a lot of different situations. It's good to have this behind us.

"I think at least to have him and be able to come to an agrrement showed some progress. Two years ago, we went to arbitration with him. This shows good faith by both partes. This is a chance for Jay to step in and help our team progress. We feel we’re going to have some success with the moves we made.''

Problem is, if Jay thinks the Panthers are continuing to to sink, he's moving on.

"I'm glad Jay is on board. Sometime during the season, hope to get it long term,'' JM said. "We’re progressing. We want to have a good start to the season, then address the issue.
"We have a player who was a third overall pick, a kid who is a winner, a competitor. He wants to get into the playoffs, win a championship. We feel with him signed now, we can use this year to show where we’re going.''