The Florida Panthers had a busy day on Saturday completing three trades that added Teddy Purcell, Jiri Hudler and Jakub Kindl to the team.
The moves all came within an hour of each other and showed that Florida is making an all-out effort this year. In the moves, the Panthers sent away a variety of draft picks, but no existing talent. This allows Florida to add much-needed depth to its roster without any current expense.
With Monday's NHL trade deadline looming, teams around the league are keeping busy to try and add the pieces needed to make a playoff run. Florida which sits atop the Atlantic Division still has its eyes on stealing the Eastern Conference. While that may be a difficult task, the Panthers still have the time needed to do it.
Purcell who had been playing with the Edmonton Oilers comes to Florida in exchange for a 2016 2nd-round pick. This was a costly trade in terms of near-term draft pick value, but it could also pay the biggest dividends for the Panthers. Purcell has 11 goals and 32 points overall this year and will be an important piece to step in for an injured Jonathan Huberdeau.
Hudler cost Florida a 2016 2nd-round pick and a 2018 4th-round pick, but has the ability to be a game-changing player. This year Hudler has seen his numbers decrease some, but looking back to just last season shows a very talented player. Hudler amassed 31 goals and 76 points during the 2014-15 campaign. Hudler has been playing with the Calgary Flames since 2012.
“We are very pleased to welcome Jiri to the Panthers,” General Manager Dale Tallon said in a statement. “He is a highly skilled and experienced player that adds leadership, character and offensive ability to our team.”
Kindl who had been a member of the Detroit Red Wings landed in Florida for just a sixth-round pick in 2017. The cost was low and the impact should also be the lowest of the trio. Kindl will serve as extra depth on defense, but offers some veteran experience to a team with several young players. Kindl has experienced championship hockey which this Panthers team hopes to witness firsthand later this year.
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The Panthers could still do more before the deadline, as they try to find any of the missing pieces needed to return to the playoffs this year.
