John Madden will make his Panthers' debut on Friday against the New Jersey Devils. There was some speculation that Madden, who was signed on Wednesday, will be sent to the minors on a conditioning stint. Instead, Madden will get a chance to play against the team he's played with for the first 10 seasons of his NHL career.

It's not clear what the Panthers' immediate plans are with John Madden. Madden signed with Florida on Wednesday, but he was a healthy scratch Thursday. The Panthers probably wanted to give him more time to adjust to their system and shake off the rust after not playing all season. It's also worth noting that Florida already had Marcel Goc and Mikael Samuelsson returning on Thursday, so it would make sense if they wanted to spread out the returns and Madden's debut. That being said, Madden might still be in the press box on Friday and Panthers coach Kevin Dineen thinks it's possible that Madden might report to the AHL for a conditioning stint.

John Madden will not make his Panthers' debut on Thursday. Madden will get more time to practice with Florida. He agreed to a one-year deal on Wednesday.

John Madden has signed a one-year deal with Florida. Madden will provide depth to a team that's been battered by injuries, as well as veteran leadership as they attempt to hold onto the Southeast Division lead in the second half. Madden had 12 goals and 25 points in 76 games with the Minnesota Wild last season.

John Madden could be signed by the Florida Panthers by Monday. The process could be derailed if Madden's physical doesn't live up to the Panthers' expectations. Madden would offer some depth and injury relief for the Panthers, as well as provide some veteran leadership as the Florida Panthers seem poised to make the playoffs for the first time since 2000. Madden had 12 goals and 25 points in 76 games with the Minnesota Wild last season.

The Florida Panthers may be on verge of signing unrestricted free agent John Madden. GM Dale Tallon said the team is in talks with Madden and both sides are trying to determine if it's worth getting a deal done. If something gets ironed out that it could be announced as early as Thursday. "We're still talking right now," Tallon said Wednesday. "Yeah, something could happen tomorrow. We'll see. I just don't know."

John Madden is rumored to be attracting some interest from the Florida Panthers. Madden is currently an unrestricted free agent after skating in 76 games with the Minnesota Wild in 2010-1, while earning 12 goals and 13 assists. The Panthers would like to add some experience down the middle, especially with Stephen Weiss and Marcel Goc currently sidelined due to injuries.

John Madden is still hoping to extend his NHL career. Madden, who is unsigned, participated in the Devils' Friday morning skate. "I'm still hoping to play somewhere. I'm skating 3-4 times a week, staying in shape," he said. Madden had 12 goals and 25 points in 76 games with the Minnesota Wild last season. He said he'll retire if nothing happens for him in 2011-12.

John Madden had a tryout with the Chicago Wolves of the AHL but would not sign a contract. Madden had been practicing with the team this week but decided against signing on with the Canucks farm team. He played last season with the Wild but Minnesota was unwilling to re-sign the 38-year-old veteran. His career may be over.

John Madden said that he would be willing to play for another NHL team next season. Madden originally said that he would only re-sign with the Wild as his family had fallen in love with the area but with Minnesota unwilling to re-sign him as of yet, Madden now says his family will go with him if he decides to go elsewhere. "You have a handful of favorites that would really fit nice, but you never know how things shake out," he said. "We're open to anything right now." The 38-year-old is a serviceable bottom six forward who as a defensive specialist, will help out most teams especially in the playoffs. He becomes an unrestricted free agent on Friday.