SUNRISE, Fla. — Florida added three players with postseason experience to its roster on Saturday, and did so without having to give up anything other than draft picks.
The Panthers landed forward Jiri Hudler from the Calgary Flames, forward Teddy Purcell from the Edmonton Oilers and defenseman Jakub Kindl from the Detroit Red Wings in three separate deals, giving the team plenty of depth as it tries to make the playoffs for just the second time in the last 15 seasons.
Detroit got a sixth-rounder in 2017 for Kindl and some cash considerations, and the Oilers took this year’s third-rounder from Florida for Purcell.
“It gives us three wonderful scoring lines and a fourth line that will be invigorated,” Panthers general manager Dale Tallon said. “It gives us depth at those positions and gives our coaches an opportunity to have different looks on the power play and different looks for the other teams to match up against.”
The Panthers lost 4-3 in overtime against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday and have the second-most points in the Eastern Conference with 78, tied with the New York Rangers in that department.
But sensing a playoff opportunity now, Tallon wasn’t shy about giving away draft picks that he’s stockpiled as part of rebuilding the Panthers, and considered it a bonus that he got these three deals done without trading away anyone off the current roster, any future first-rounders or any of Florida’s best young prospects.
“We’re really deep,” Tallon said. “We’ve got a lot of prospects … a lot of good players all over the world.”
And the Panthers will keep their eyes open until Monday’s 3 p.m. ET trade deadline as well.
“Who said we’re done?” Tallon asked.
Thumbnail photo via Jerome Miron/USA TODAY Sports Images
