CANUCKS CORRAL SNIPER BOOTH
The Vancouver Canucks acquired winger David Booth, forward Steve Reinprecht and a third-round draft pick in 2013 from the Florida Panthers for wingers Mikael Samuelsson and Marco Sturm.
What does it give the Vancouver Canucks
No question the Canucks get the top player in this deal here in Booth, but it comes at the price of flexibility. His big contract is locked in through 2014-15 (whereas the deals for Samuelsson and Sturm expire after this season). With that in mind, Vancouver is gambling that Booth will re-find his scoring touch, while somehow upping his struggles in the defensive zone. That said, Booth can slot in right away as an above-average left wing on the second line, taking the place of the injured Mason Raymond. The aging Reinprecht is headed for the minors, but serves as insurance for later in the season (or playoffs) and his contract comes off the books following this season. It's hard to believe the 'Nucks were also able to get a good draft pick in this deal.
What does it give the Florida Panthers
Above all, the Panthers and GM Dale Tallon are shaking things up. Tallon is sending a message to his club that no one is untouchable, while bringing in two savvy vets who can help lead the Panthers. Samuelsson and Sturm obviously don't bring the same type of scoring upside as Booth, but Booth has struggled the past season-plus and Florida can replace him via free agency next summer (when the deals for Samuelsson and Sturm expire). They also were able to drop Reinprecht's contract, since he was making NHL money for playing in the minors. Still, it's a highly questionable move by Tallon here.
Fantasy impact
