Quick Move

 With the trade deadline looming and the Florida Panthers always busy this time of year, it was surprising to find that GM Dylan Wilson has not been as busy in past years preparing for the deadline.

“We made a lot of moves earlier in the year that has set us up where we are now. We are in the top group of the Eastern Conference standings and its not our priority to mess with the group right now. Of course we are looking to add, but it wont be a priority this year.”

 The Panthers did make a big move a week away from the deadline. Sending All-Star goalie Corey Crawford to the Flames along with prospects Luke Adam and Jon Merril along with former Flame Olli Jokinen.  In return the Panthers got another All-Star goalie, in Jonathan Quick with Defenseman Alexander Sulzer and TJ Galiardi. “Picking up Quick was huge, he is signed long term on a decent cap hit and he has huge potential and is one of the best goalies out there. Sulzer and Galiardi are interesting adds and both have potential and we are hoping they can slot in well. Losing Crawford was a blow since he has been excellent with us all season, Merrill and Adam were also huge loses but we have guys ahead of them on the depth chart and you have to give to get.  We were excited to get Olli but he really didn’t fit into our system, he had been playing on our 3^rd line and we are hoping that Bryan Little can take the centre spot on that line.”

 With less than a week away from the deadline and a playoff spot surely to be locked down in the near future, coach Joe Sacco said he plans to get some of the other guys more playing time down the stretch. “We have a lot of guys we will give a chance to when we are confident and lockdown in our position. Guys like Trevor Lewis, Brayden Schenn, James Sheppard and Oliver Ekman-Larsson will given opportunites. Another one in Steve Mason, he’s a guy we still believe in and we have rarely used him so far this season. He has only played in 4 games but we are going to try and get him in very soon, maybe even starting with Dallas on Sunday.”

 It wouldn’t be the first time Dylan has said he would be quiet at the deadline, but he always finds a way to get into the action.