Randy Sexton.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

MIAMI -- Former Florida Panthers general manager Randy Sexton says he would welcome the opportunity to stay with the franchise.

Sexton was replaced as GM earlier this week with Dale Tallon, the former general manager of the Chicago Blackhawks.

On a conference call with reporters Wednesday, Sexton called Tallon a "very, very worthy choice" for the franchise.

Sexton says he has told Tallon he would "help him in any way that he needed it," and planned to speak with Florida's new GM again in the coming weeks.

He says he would stay with the Panthers if Tallon thought it was appropriate and he could help.