Florida Panthers Make Bold Move In Dealing Erik Gudbranson
Erik Gudbranson traded to Vancouver in a time where the Florida Panthers need as much defense as they can get
Erik Gudbranson was the type of player Florida Panthers fans expected to be one day wearing the captain’s crest. At six feet, five inches, he was a force to be reckoned with and someone the Florida Panthers relied heavily on for physicality to add to an already offensively talented roster. Gudbranson being the third overall pick in the 2010 draft showed just how much faith the Panthers had in the now 24-year-old defenseman.
Then on May 25th, during game 6 between the San Jose Sharks and St Louis Blues news broke of a trade between the Florida Panthers and Vancouver Canucks, and left fans of both clubs wondering just exactly what had just happened. Erik Gudbranson was traded alongside a fifth-round draft pick in the 2016 draft in exchange for rookie forward Jared McCann, a second-round draft pick and a fourth round pick from Vancouver also in 2016.
Florida Panthers
With the expected retirement of current Florida Panthers captain Willie Mitchell, as well as defenseman Brian Campbell looking at testing the waters of free agency this summer Florida has added yet another blow to the already depleted defensive line with one standout player, that being Aaron Ekblad.
Ekblad is a top priority signing for next season as his entry level deal expires at the end of the 2017 season. Gudbranson, after signing a one-year deal with Florida on May 9th of this year, would have been a possible roadblock to keeping Ekblad. With rumors being that Gudbransons asking price was too high, the trade seems to be better for the Panthers in the long haul.
Florida Panthers fans should be relieved to know that the Vancouver Canucks second round pick comes 33rd overall in this year’s draft, which could allow them to draft a reasonable defenseman and still have Jared McCann, a promising rookie who’s first year didn’t live up to the expectations that were set out for him. The Florida Panthers locker room could be the right place for McCann to develop the skill set to reach the potential that was expected of him.
Next: NHL Rumors: Panthers Discussing Six-Year Deal With Trocheck
With the 2016 NHL Draft happening June 24th and several contracts including Willie Mitchell, Brian Campbell, Al Montoya, Vincent Trocheck, Quinton Howden, Greg McKegg, Garrett Wilson and trade deadline additions Jiri Hudler and Teddy Purcell all left to sign or send to free agency, The Florida Panthers are going to have to be busy this off-season to pick up new and fresh faces to add to the team while keeping the key pieces together that made them successful in 2016.