Rather than stick around and watch franchise defenseman Jay Bouwmeester walk away as a free agent and the Panthers' roster endure another hit, Martin pulled the chute as Florida GM to become coach of the Montreal Canadiens.

The search is on to replace Martin. Let's just say the new guy will face lots of challenges.

Bouwmeester is as good as gone. The Panthers deserve lots of credit for not selling short a playoff push they lost a tie-breaker for the eighth and final spot to Montreal but now they're going to lose Bouwmeester without compensation.

The roster is not without talent, especially young talent. But there are major question marks, too.

This is the Florida Panthers, after all.

FORWARD

The Panthers have nine NHL-level forwards under contract through at least next season Nathan Horton, Cory Stillman, Rostislav Olesz, Stephen Weiss, Brett McLean, Michael Frolik, Greg Campbell, Kamil Kreps and Nick Tarnasky. Total: $18.987 million.

A key part of this group is restricted free agent David Booth, who has grown into a very good NHL finisher. He had a club-high 31 goals this season, and is due a big pay raise.

There are three key young forwards in the mix. Weiss has emerged as a solid playmaker, Horton as a power forward and Frolik who jumped straight from junior hockey as a multi-dimensional threat.

Two key UFAs to keep in mind: Richard Zednik and Radek Dvorak. Both could return. The future of UFA Ville Peltonen is less clear.

The Panthers need a lot more out of Olesz, who's set to make $3.4 million beginning next season and all the way through 2012-13. He has 37 goals in 227 NHL games.

Anthony Stewart is a big, checking winger, who started to look a lot more comfortable last season. He's an RFA and will definitely be back.

DEFENSE

The Panthers have three NHL-level defensemen signed through at least next season Bryan McCabe, Keith Ballard and Bryan Allen. Price tag: $12.85 million.

Bouwmeester may already have his bags packed. If he resigns with the Panthers, it will shock just about everybody in the NHL.

There are other key UFAs, too. Nick Boynton, Karlis Skrastins and Jassen Cullimore all need new deals.

Steve Eminger is a restricted free agent.

Allen's return to healthy is very important. He missed all but two games last season after a knee injury that required surgery.

McCabe had a decent season, confirming suspicions that he needed a fresh start away from Toronto. He is 34 years old, though, and there's lots of tread off the tires.

GOALTENDER

Veteran Tomas Vokoun is the No. 1. He's under contract for next season at $5.7 million.

The question at this spot is how the Panthers might back him up.

Craig Anderson, who was spectacular at times last season in a back-up role, is an unrestricted free agent. He's looking for a raise on the $575,000 he made last season.

BIG PICTURE

The Panthers have 13 players signed for next season with a salary cap hit of $37.537 million.

The Bouwmeester departure will free up lots of payroll, but is a huge "skill" hit on the blue line.

Florida is pretty much set at forward. They have enough bodies on defense, too, but might seek to upgrade through free agency.

They need a back-up goalie, but with Vokoun due to make $5.7 million, they won't want to commit too much to the back-up spot.

NEXT WAVE

Defenseman Keaton Ellerby, the Panthers' 10th overall draft pick in 2007, looked very good at times in the AHL this season. It's not a reach to think he could make the club during training camp.

Shawn Mattias, a center, has been inconsistent to the point of delaying his NHL arrival.

Goaltender Jacob Markstrom might not be ready for No. 1 status for a year or two. But he'll take the pipes from Vokoun soon enough.

The Panthers own the 14th overall draft pick later this month at the NHL entry draft in Montreal.

OUTLOOK

One must wonder (worry?) about the psychological impact of losing a player like Bouwmeester, both on the ice and in the stands.

But it's nothing new, really. The Panthers have been trying the patience of their fans for many years now.

Florida has enough talent at key spots to be competitive. If Vokoun plays well in net, they can remain in the playoff hunt long into next season, too.

But where is this franchise going? One of the building blocks is just weeks from leaving.

Martin got off easy. He beat Bouwmeester to the punch.