CHARLOTTE, N. Xavier Williams Jersey .C. -- Quarterback Cam Newton plans to take more ownership of the Carolina Panthers offence without his top four receivers from last season. Steve Smith, the franchises all-time leading receiver, was released and free agents Brandon LaFell, Ted Ginn Jr. and Domenik Hixon signed with other teams, putting more pressure on Newton to take more of a leadership role entering his fourth season. "Im excited to take this challenge to be this teams leader," Newton said. "More has been given to me on my plate (and) be a leader of men." Newton spoke Tuesday at the team stadium during a break from off-season condition workouts, his first extensive interview since the Panthers lost to the San Francisco 49ers 23-10 in the NFC divisional playoffs in January. Newtons left foot remains in a walking boot after having ankle surgery on March 19. He said he was "surprised" when he learned the Panthers had released Smith, one of the teams most popular players. "If you were in the 704 (area code), you were caught by surprise," Newton said. "Everybody in the Carolinas was surprised, including myself." He said he still communicates with Smith, and hopes the 34-year-old receiver finds success with the Baltimore Ravens. But Newton emphasized the need to move forward as a team. He said hes excited about working with a "hungry" group of receivers that includes Jerricho Cotchery, Jason Avant and Tiquan Underwood. Its possible the Panthers will add a wide receiver or two in the NFL draft next month. "We have a lot of guys that are hungry and ready to prove something in this league," Newton said, "and thats what I want to do as well." Newton was selected to the Pro Bowl last season after leading the Panthers to a 12-4 record and the NFC South championship. But concerns linger over how long it will take Newton to develop chemistry with a new group of wide receivers, especially considering hes not expected to practice until training camp. But an upbeat Newton downplayed any concerns. "We will have plenty of time to develop chemistry with receivers," Newton said. "Just because its organized team functions doesnt mean that we cant (also) meet on our own." Newton has spent much of the off-season working on his college degree from Auburn, but returned Monday to Charlotte so hed have a chance to meet his new teammates. "The first time you interact with a person you can tell by two or three minutes if the relationship is going to work," Newton said. "With my talk with those guys it was great. Everybody is excited. Everybody is ready to accept the challenge. Everybody is trying to find and know their role so they can perfect it." Pro Bowl centre Ryan Kalil believes Newton will continue to develop into a great leader. "The guys who I have always looked up to are the guys who do it on a daily basis and lead by example," Kalil said. "Even though Cam is somebody who likes to get in front of the mike and think hes a lot more entertaining than he really is, he does a great job. He works hard day in and day out in the classroom and on the field." Newton said watching his teammates work out made him eager to get back. Hes never missed a game and its rare when hes skipped a practice -- or any type of event -- since joining the Panthers as the No. 1 pick in the 2011 NFL draft. "I felt like that lost kid that was in detention and cant go to recess," said Newton, with a laugh. Newton isnt certain when hell start running again. He said the ankle had been bothering him for quite a long time, dating back to his national championship season at Auburn. "It wasnt 100 per cent for a long time," said the former Heisman Trophy winner. "I really didnt know what 100 per cent felt like." Newton said the surgery has afforded him a chance to step back and study more tape and reassess his play. "Its been more helpful for me, mentally," Newton said. "I am always the type of guy that always had to do stuff, workout, workout, workout -- no matter the time or the day. This injury has kind of settled me down, like, How can I get better?" Khalen Saunders Jersey . His recovery time is expected to be six to eight months. Seidenberg was injured in the third period of Fridays 5-0 victory over the Ottawa Senators, when he got his leg tangled with forward Cory Conacher. Dustin Colquitt Jersey .1 Sam Stosur will meet Germanys second-ranked player Andrea Petkovic in the opening match of the Fed Cup World Group semifinal. http://www.prochiefsauthentic.com/Youth-Tony-Gonzalez-Elite-Jersey/ . Giants manager Bruce Bochy told The Associated Press of the decision before NL West-leading San Francisco opened a 10-game homestand Monday night with the first of three games against second-place Arizona.TSN Hockey Insiders Bob McKenzie and Darren Dreger have the latest on the future homes of Jarome Iginla, Ryan Miller and Thomas Vanek as well as updates on the top potential NCAA free agent and the NHLs search for fresh officiating. Jarome Iginla has been one of the stories of this season individually. Hes been a great fit in Boston and his 28 goals leads the team. Does he end up there beyond this year and re-sign? Darren Dreger: Thats certainly the hope of the Boston Bruins and of Jarome Iginla as well. I know Peter Chiarelli, the Bruins general manager, reached out to Don Meehan from Newport Sports last week. Theres been no official back-and-forth in terms of dialogue or a negotiation and the reality is that the Bruins dont have the tag room or the cap space to close this deal in-season. But, most definitely, Chiarelli and the Bruins want to extend Iginlas stay. He loves Boston. They love him in Boston. I think a deal gets done. Pierre LeBrun: Another top-line right-winger whos slated to be a UFA come July 1 is Ales Hemsky, who came over at the trade deadline to help the Ottawa Senators. Now, he has helped them, even though the Senators have struggled. Ottawa has seen enough of Hemsky that in the very near future they are interested in reaching out to his representatives to see if hes interested in staying on and to talk about an extension. Obviously, the money has to be right for the budget-conscious Senators, but right now Bryan Murray would like to bring Hemsky back for next season. Does Ryan Miller stay in St. Louis? LeBrun: That is what Doug Armstrong and the St. Louis Blues would love to do. Theyve already reached out to Mike Liut, the agent for Ryan Miller, and told Miller: ‘Once this season is over, we want to bring you back. They are being aggressive in their overtures and telling this player that they do not want him to go to the July 1 market. They believe he is a long-term fit for their team which will contend for a number of years. Bob McKenzie: The conventional wisdom among the hockey community is that one of the reasons Miller wants to wait until free agency on July 1 is to see if theres any interest from the Anaheim Ducks. There was all sorts of speculation that the Ducks tried to make a trade with the Buffalo Sabres earlier this season for Miller, but that it fell through and they werent able to do it. Jason Spriggs Jersey. . Millers wife is an actress. She does all sorts of work in Hollywood and the possibility of being on a California team might be something that is really good for Ryan Miller. So, well wait and see where that goes. Its college free agent signing season. The most sought-after right now is Christian Folin, a 63”, 210-pound defenceman from Sweden who plays for the River Hawks and UMass. Who are the front-runners to get him? McKenzie: The Philadelphia Flyers, the Minnesota Wild, the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Edmonton Oilers are amongst the teams believed to have the best chance to try to get Christian Folin out of UMass Lowell. Now, I should point something out. Firstly, theyre playing in the NCAA tournament Friday night against Minnesota State. If they lose, hes got a decision to make. He has not yet fully committed to making the decision that hes coming out of college. The likelihood is that he is, but he hasnt made that decision just yet. Lots of teams are getting the sense now that theyre out of it and that those teams I just mentioned are the front-runners. The NHL is apparently seeking officials... Dreger: Theyre calling it the NHL Exposure Combine and the belief is that theyre hoping to bring in upwards of 60 high-level prospects. Theyre going to collect these, literally, from around the world, but yes, they will send invites to certain universities and NCAA colleges for those graduating hockey players who perhaps want to pursue a career as an NHL on-ice official. Theyll hold the combine in August in Buffalo. There will be considerable physical testing but its all part of trying to expand the search and every other year, theyll do an amateur version. McKenzie: I smell a reality show coming: “So You Wanna Be a Ref?” Pierre LeBrun has a quick one-timer for us on Thomas Vanek. LeBrun: Vanek is obviously loving his time in Montreal so far but I spoke with his agent Steve Bartlett earlier on Tuesday who said the plan has not deviated. They told the Sabres last summer that theyre going to July 1. They told the Islanders after he got traded that its going to July 1 and that remains the plan right now. Lets see if a little playoff magic might change his mind. ' ' '