General Manager Dale Tallon announced before the game that he informed assistant GM Mike Santos that his contract will not be renewed for next season. Tallon brought Santos into the organization in 2010 from the Nashville Predators, where he was Director of Hockey Operations, but said he felt a need to move in a different direction.

“I need a different set of eyes, a different opinion, different ideas. It’s been a tough decision back and forth for the last six, seven months, and I came to the conclusion this week that it’d be better off if we went in another direction,” Tallon said.

Santos was instrumental in bringing Horachek to the Panthers, first as head coach of the team's American Hockey League team in San Antonio. Tallon said the decision to let Santos go will not impact Horachek’s future with the team.

Tallon said he will discuss the hockey operation with owner Vinnie Viola and other members of upper management after the season and that the decision on Horachek will likely come in May.