KOZLOV HEADS TO NEW JERSEY
The New Jersey Devils acquired forward Viktor Kozlov from the Florida Panthers for winger Christian Berglund and defenseman Victor Uchevatov.
What does it give the New Jersey Devils
The Devils have needed more center help all season long, since losing Joe Nieuwendyk to the unrestricted free agent market last summer. Enter Kozlov, who has not played up the middle for quite some time but will probably be tried at the center position because of his great size (6-5, 225). Devils GM Lou Lamoriello hopes this deal works out as well as the one that brought another talented, yet underachieving forward (Jason Arnott) to New Jersey several years ago.
What does it give the Florida Panthers
For the immediate future, the Panthers don't get a lot out of this move. The 23-year-old Berglund is currently out with a hip problem and on the injured-reserve list, while Uchevatov is a 20-year-old in his second season in the AHL. However, Panthers GM Rick Dudley is very high on Berglund, a player with largely untapped scoring potential. Uchevatov is a classic stay-at-home blueliner, something Florida needs more of going forward. The only question that Dudley detractors will ask is: Did Dudley get enough in return?
Fantasy impact
