The Florida Panthers completed another trade on the deadline, but this arrival won’t help their current playoff push.
On Monday, February 24, the Florida Panthers announced they acquired defenseman Emil Djuse from the Dallas Stars in exchange for a 2020 sixth-round draft pick, which was originally owned by the Buffalo Sabres.
Djuse, who is 26 years of age, has recently played with the Texas Stars over in the AHL. With the Stars this season, the native of Östersund, Sweden has recorded 29 points (4G & 25A) in 48 games.
Previously, Djuse experienced a stint with Skellefteå AIK of the SHL, while also featuring with MODO Hockey and Frölunda HC – both in the same league. By the end of his time over in Sweden, Djuse registered 85 points (21G & 64A) in 251 total games.
According to Elite Prospects, Djuse is known to be an “offensive-minded defenseman, who’s got terrific hockey sense and great passing ability from the backend. He excels on the power play and is also a mobile player with good agility, but he needs to improve on his defensive game.”
At the international stage, Djuse won a silver medal with Sweden at the 2012-13 IIHF Under-20 World Junior Championship, tallying two points (1G & 1A) in six outings. Originally, Djuse went undrafted and was signed to a one-year, entry-level contract with the Stars on April 29, 2019.
The 5’11, 190lb defenseman will report to the Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL) upon his arrival. He is expected to spend the remainder of the season in the minors as the T-Birds look to retain their current playoff position.
Your Panthers are back in action on Tuesday, February 25 @ 9:00 P.M. against the Arizona Coyotes to close out the final game of their five-game western road trip.