Today at a 10am press conference, the rumours became reality, as GM Brock Otten announced one of the biggest trades of his tenure as Panthers GM.
"Today we have acquired a cornerstone of our franchise. Winger Shane Doan has become a Florida Panther. In exchange we have had to say goodbye to a couple of our top prospects, as well as the recently acquired Valeri Bure and a draft pick. It was a lot to give up, but Mr. Doan is exactly the type of guy we want leading this team and we felt it was a necessary deal to make to get to the next level," said Otten at the conference call.
The deal breaks down as follows, with the Panthers receiving Doan, and the New York Islanders receiving pending UFA Valeri Bure, top prospects Rob Schremp and Tuuka Rask, as well as the Panthers 3rd rounder in 2006.
A team official with a Western Conference team had this to say about the deal, "They certainly gave up a lot, but if you look at the situation more closely, they acquired Doan without giving up one of their top young players like Torres, Svatos or Richards, as well as hanging on to their first round pick. The team is currently in the playoffs and this deal helps that team a lot now and for the future."
With the deal, the Panthers also lose 2 million in endorsement deal money with the Mountain Dew contract, with Schremp gaining 100 points and likely on his way to a CHL award, and Rask being named to the WJC all tourney team.
The team also announced a minor prospect exchange with the Toronto Maple Leafs, where they sent offensive defenseman Michael Vernace to Toronto for Matt Auffrey.
So Whats next for the Panthers? "Well we've been talking too a couple other clubs about trade, with nothing close as of yet. We've still got one RFA in Brian Willsie we want to get signed, and most importantly we want to try and sign Shane Doan to a contract extension. Sure he's got another year on his contract, but we don't want to worry about him becoming a UFA after next season, and we want him to feel wanted with our organization with a fresh start."
The Panthers have tonight off to prepare for their matchup with the Thrashers in the second Marsdale Cup. Shane Doan is expected to be in the lineup.
Esteban Santour,
Florida Post