Brock
Registered User
Yesterday the Florida Panthers shipped out star center Mats Sundin to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for Mike Ribeiro, Matt Foy and a 3rd round draft pick. Sundin was acquired just before the season started from the Nashville Predators, however his contract demands were too rich for the Panthers blood. He was the second leading scorer in the HFNHL so far this year, with 18 goals and 31 assists in 37 games for the Panthers.
This move comes a bit suprising since the Panthers currently sit tied for 8th in the Eastern Conference with the Montreal Canadiens.
GM Otten had the following to say at the news conference announcing the trade. "We are very sad to see Mats go, he was our offensive leader. But in reality, we felt his contract demands were just to steep for us. Resigning him was not going to be an option for us. Rather then let him go for nothing, we figured this was a very good deal for us. Mike is a dynamic offensive player who can become a fixture of our offense for years to come. He's still improving and coming into his prime at 26 years old. Matthew Foy is a player we really like, someone we feel has potential to be a good complementary winger, 20 goal guy. And that third round pick gives us a chance to get another solid prospect for the future. When the Wild came to us with this deal, there was no way we could pass it up."
Ribeiro should be in town soon enough to suit up for the Panthers against the Nashville Predators tonight. He is expected to center Chris Simon and Fernando Pisani on the team's second line, where Pierre Turgeon will move up to the first line to center Daigle and Torres.
Rumours are still in effect in Florida, as Otten is apparently still trying to acquire a second line LW, and move Chris Simon, Lyle Odelein, Brian Willsie and Brad Brown.
Esteban Santour,
Florida Post
This move comes a bit suprising since the Panthers currently sit tied for 8th in the Eastern Conference with the Montreal Canadiens.
GM Otten had the following to say at the news conference announcing the trade. "We are very sad to see Mats go, he was our offensive leader. But in reality, we felt his contract demands were just to steep for us. Resigning him was not going to be an option for us. Rather then let him go for nothing, we figured this was a very good deal for us. Mike is a dynamic offensive player who can become a fixture of our offense for years to come. He's still improving and coming into his prime at 26 years old. Matthew Foy is a player we really like, someone we feel has potential to be a good complementary winger, 20 goal guy. And that third round pick gives us a chance to get another solid prospect for the future. When the Wild came to us with this deal, there was no way we could pass it up."
Ribeiro should be in town soon enough to suit up for the Panthers against the Nashville Predators tonight. He is expected to center Chris Simon and Fernando Pisani on the team's second line, where Pierre Turgeon will move up to the first line to center Daigle and Torres.
Rumours are still in effect in Florida, as Otten is apparently still trying to acquire a second line LW, and move Chris Simon, Lyle Odelein, Brian Willsie and Brad Brown.
Esteban Santour,
Florida Post
