After trading away Spencer Knight, Panthers acquire new goalie ahead of trade deadline
The Florida Panthers' first move ahead of the NHL's 3 p.m. Friday trade deadline saw them send backup goaltender Spencer Knight to the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday for All-Star defenseman Seth Jones.
Four days later, the Panthers have a new goaltender in the fold.
The Panthers on Wednesday traded for San Jose Sharks goaltender Vitek Vanecek. Florida sent forward prospect Patrick Giles to San Jose in return.
Vanecek, 29, has played in 181 career games (169 starts) over five NHL seasons with the Washington Capitals, New Jersey Devils and Sharks with a 2.82 goals against average and .903 save percentage.
However, his numbers are at career lows this season — 3.88 goals against average and .882 save percentage in 18 games (17 starts) for the Sharks. He has a 3-10-3 record.
Vanecek is in the final year of a three-year deal that has a $3.4 million cap hit. The Panthers entered Wednesday with just over $8.7 million in cap space, an abundance that was created by placing star winger Matthew Tkachuk on long-term injured reserve with his lower-body injury sustained during the 4 Nations Face-Off.
Vanecek will serve as backup to Sergei Bobrovsky, who has been stellar as of late. Florida had initially called up Chris Driedger to serve as Bobrovsky's backup after they traded Knight to Chicago. Coach Paul Maurice said the team does not plan to keep three goalies on the roster, so Driedger will presumably be sent back to the Charlotte Checkers, the Panthers' American Hockey League affiliate, in short order.
The Panthers still have $5.3 million in cap space available, opening the possibility of another move (or moves) before the trade deadline on Friday. Most likely, the Panthers would prioritize seeking a forward to round out their fourth-line depth.
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