The Florida Panthers have engaged in a minor-league trade that has net them something little in return, addressing no particular need.
On Tuesday, December. 17, the Florida Panthers announced that they have acquired forward Ryan Haggerty from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for forward Kevin Roy.
Haggerty, who’s 26 years of age, has played with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins for the last four seasons over in the AHL. In 23 games so far this season, Haggerty has put together a slash line of 3G, 3A, for 6 total points.
Last season, though, Haggerty experienced more success in the minors, recording 44 points (23G & 21A) through 68 games played. In the past, the Connecticut native played a season each with the Hartford Wolf Pack and Rockford IceHogs, registering 33 (15G & 18A) and 13 (9G & 4A) points in 76 and 36 games, respectively.
At the college level, Haggerty spent three seasons with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) over in the NCAA, tallying a grand total of 47G, 37A, and 84 points in 106 games.
Experiencing minimal success in the minors, Haggerty is hoping to bounce-back with the Springfield Thunderbirds, attempting to replicate his season from 2018-19.
Haggerty hasn’t made his NHL debut and isn’t expected to see any NHL ice with the Florida Panthers. He instead will be assigned immediately to the Thunderbirds, where he will spend the remainder of his 2019-20 campaign.
This acquisition comes at a surprise considering the Panthers’ need for NHL-ready defensemen to step in and play every day in their lineup. Time will tell to see how this plays out and ages, but seeing it’s only a minor-league deal, no stock should be put into this trade at all.
The Thunderbirds currently sit in eleventh and aren’t far off from a playoff spot. With time to eventually climb the standings, the T-Birds hope this Haggerty addition will provide them with the offensive spark that will help propel them into a playoff position.
Your Panthers are back in action on Friday, December. 20 @ 7 P.M. against the Dallas Stars, looking to gain another much-needed two points.