Fri, Jun 22, 2007 at 5:00pm

PANTHERS ACQUIRE VOKOUN

The Florida Panthers acquired goaltender Tomas Vokoun from the Nashville Predators for a first-round draft pick in 2007, a first-round draft pick in 2008 and a second-round draft pick in 2008.

What does it give the Florida Panthers
A legitimate starter for the first time since dealing away Roberto Luongo last summer. When healthy, Vokoun has proven to be one of the top netminders in the NHL. With four years left on his contract, they will have plenty of time to get used to good goaltending again. Vokoun will play 60-65 games for the Panthers and attempt to lead them back to the postseason. A first rounder in 2008 is fair value for a top starting netminder, and the Panthers were also able to keep the 10th overall selection in this year's draft.

What does it give the Nashville Predators
Essentially...a cheaper team. It also strengthens their future, but does nothing for the present. Chris Mason will now have a well-deserved chance to be the No. 1 guy between the pipes but, with Nashville already giving up on Kimmo Timonen and Scott Hartnell earlier in the week, this smells more and more like a fire sale. Mason's numbers were actually better than Vokoun's last season, so he earned this shot.

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