In what’s been a quiet lead-up to the deadline, Florida Panthers GM Dale Tallon has completed yet another minor league deal.
On Thursday, February 20 at 2:30 P.M., the Florida Panthers announced they had acquired forward Danick Martel from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for forward Anthony Greco.
Martel, who’s 25 years of age, originally went undrafted and was signed by the Philadelphia Flyers in March of 2015. He spent four seasons in the organization, primarily playing with the Flyers’ AHL affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Through a total of 199 games played with the Phantoms, Martel recorded 68G, 52A, for 120 points. As well, he also featured in four games with the Flyers during the 2017-18 season.
The 5’8″, 176lb native of Drummondville, Quebec, was later placed on waivers by the Flyers but was picked up by the Tampa Bay Lightning before the start of the 2018-19 season. Martel participated in two seasons with the Lightning’s affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch, tallying 31 points (16G & 15A) in 56 games played. Martel also received some playing time in the big leagues with the Bolts, dressing in nine games and recording two points (two assists).
In reward for his outstanding play during the 2017-18 AHL season, Martel was selected to participate at the 2018 AHL All-Star Game but was replaced by Oskar Lindblom after suffering an injury. He would go on to close out that campaign with 40 points (25G & 15A) in 59 games played.
Departing in the opposite direction is forward Anthony Greco, who’s spent the last four seasons with the Springfield Thunderbirds in the AHL. Over a span of 261 games with the T-Birds, Greco registered 85G, 72A, for 157 total points. He made his NHL debut on December 13, 2018, against the Minnesota Wild in an eventual 5-1 defeat.
The 26-year-old from Queens, New York, also set the fastest skater record at the AHL All-Star skills competition, finishing with a score of 13.251 seconds.
Both players are expected to report to their respective AHL clubs upon their arrival, and will likely spend the remainder of the season down in the minors.
Be sure to tune in tonight as the Panthers square-off against the L.A. Kings at 10:30 P.M., in what’s going to be a critical game that will determine their standing in this tight playoff race.