While nothing official yet, it looks like Florida has found their man in Bill Zito for the GM gig.

Lots of reports coming out that he all but has the job and will be (officially) named tomorrow.

Hearing FLA is closing on Bill Zito from Columbus as GM choice

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) September 1, 2020

Bill Zito will be the next GM of the #FlaPanthers, announcement coming on Wednesday.

Most recently assistant GM with #CBJ, Zito is a former player agent with a sharp mind and a no-nonsense style and approach.

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) September 2, 2020

Florida will announce Zito as GM tomorrow I’m told https://t.co/NSuvtjhnTP

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) September 2, 2020

Here’s a convincing one from Aaron Portzline, who covers CBJ for The Athletic:

The Athletic: After interviewing with several #NHL franchises in recent years, #CBJ VP of hockey ops Bill Zito has found a fit; he’ll be named GM of the #FlaPanthers on Wednesdayhttps://t.co/VfH5M5Pdya pic.twitter.com/yCAlykNRyG

— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) September 2, 2020

If that’s not enough, the Miami Hearld confirmed it about an hour ago.

According to their article:

“A Milwaukee native, Zito played for the Yale Bulldogs, then founded one of hockey’s most powerful agencies.

He joined Columbus’ front office in 2013 and became a key fixture in the Blue Jackets’ development of young players, running the Cleveland Monsters, who won the American Hockey League in 2016 when they were called the Lake Erie Monsters.

With Zito’s help, the Blue Jackets reached the Stanley Cup playoffs for the fourth consecutive season this year after qualifying just twice in their first 15 seasons of existence.

Homegrown talent has been key to Columbus’ success in this time period. Two of the Blue Jackets’ five All-Stars the past three seasons came through Cleveland and 11 players on current roster were drafted by the team while Zito was part of the organization.”

I think this is a really solid signing. Zito seems to have a good foundation from being an agent and then working with CBJ’s front office and as their AHL affiliate’s GM. Let’s be honest, the Monsters and Blue Jackets have both vastly improved the past few years with Zito having some involvement.

All reports say he has a knack for recognizing/developing talent and growing that through the system. Another one of the comments I saw referred to him as a “no nonsense” guy. I like the sound of that.

Looking forward to learning more about Big Bill Zito and what his plans are for the Cats.

If there’s any CBJ fans out there that can chime in about him and his work in Columbus/Cleveland, that would be great.

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Go Panthers!

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