Transaction Matter: Cats Lock Up Weiss, Heat Sign Johnson

24
Aug/071

Transaction Matter: Cats Lock Up Weiss, Heat Sign Johnson

I was starting to get worried that the negotiations between Stephen Weiss and the Panther’s were going to take too long and another team would swoop in with an offer. As of last evening that will not be happening. The Florida Panthers have agreed to terms with Stephen Weiss on a 6-year, $18.6 million contract. The deal will pay Weiss $3.1 million per year. Florida GM and Head Coach Jacques Martin on the deal…

”Stephen is an important part of our core nucleus of offensive talent and we are pleased to have reached a long-term agreement with him,” said Florida general manager and head coach Jacques Martin. ”He posted career-best numbers last season and we look forward to his continued production and contributions to our organization.”

”Stephen has taken significant steps in his growth process over the last two years and we believe that he possesses the tools to be one of our club’s top offensive threats,” said Martin. ”By signing Stephen to a long term deal we hope that this serves as further proof of our organization’s dedication and commitment to bringing continued stability and success to our organization.”

If you haven’t been a Panther fan or been to a Panther game, this season is the year to get onto the bandwagon. It’s about time an organization knows what they are doing down here. Shifting to the hardwood, the Heat decided to let out a loud fart in the free agency market today…

Former Memphis Grizzlies forward Alexander Johnson has agreed to a contract with the Heat and plans on signing it today. Johnson, 6-9, is expected to sign a two-year, $1.5 million contract, with the second year at the Heat’s option. With the signing of Johnson, that brings the Heat roster to 18 with Johnson, Smush Parker, Penny Hardaway, first-round pick Daequan Cook, Devin Green, Jeremy Richardson and Marcus Slaughter all signed up.

Pat Riley’s next focus has been heavily rumored to be Ron Artest. Check out an interview below Dan Lebatard had with Pat Riley on 790 The Ticket.

(Audio courtesy of 790TheTicket)