PANTHERS PICK UP BACKUP GOALTENDER
The Florida Panthers acquired goaltender Vitek Vanecek from the San Jose Sharks for forward Patrick Giles.
What does it give the Florida Panthers
After trading backup goaltender Spencer Knight in the Seth Jones deal recently, the Panthers were in the market for a replacement. Enter Vanecek, who has plenty of experience and a past history of solid play at the NHL level. He has been very up and down in recent seasons but should get a boost from playing behind the defending Stanley Cup champions.
What does it give the San Jose Sharks
Since Vanecek was a pending UFA, the Sharks did well to get anything in return for his services at this point. Giles is already 25 years old but saw his first taste of the NHL earlier this season with the Panthers. He was not producing big numbers in the AHL, either. If the Sharks trade some of their bottom-six forwards before the deadline, Giles may get recalled.
Fantasy impact
There is no fantasy impact here, as Vanecek will only play down the stretch when Sergei Bobrovsky needs a break. As for Giles, his path to regular NHL work will be as a role player.
