Panthers Add Bulk And Youth Over Weekend
MIAMI (CBSMiami.com) – The Florida Panthers were wheeling and dealing over the weekend before and after Friday's NHL Draft. The Panthers need an influx of talent and managed to get plenty to fill both needs.
Before the draft, the Panthers acquired former Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Brian Campbell. Florida G.M. Dale Tallon signed Campbell when both were with the Blackhawks. Campbell will cost the Panthers roughly $7.1 million over the next five seasons.
Campbell's big contract is no problem for the Panthers, who need to spend roughly $30 million to reach the NHL's salary cap floor, according to CBS4 news partner the Miami Herald.
But the player who could have the biggest impact was the Panthers' draft pick. The team used the third overall pick to draft center Jonathan Huberdeau. The center is from New Brunswick and scored 58 goals and 82 assists over the past two seasons.
Huberdeau was the Memorial Cup MVP last season in the Canadian national tournament. According to the Herald, if Huberdeau performs well in training camp, he could play in South Florida this year.
