The Florida Panthers have made a trade. Not long after the Panthers acquired Nico Sturm from San Jose, Florida traded for former Sharks goalie Kaapo Kahkonen. Chris Driedger, who was called up after the trade of Spencer Knight only to be sent back to AHL Charlotte,

The Panthers acquired goaltender Vitek Vanecek on Wednesday from the San Jose Sharks for 25-year-old forward Patrick Giles, the teams announced. Vanecek gives Florida depth in net, along with Chris Driedger,

Headed back to minors

It has been three months since Vitek Vanecek won a game in the NHL. Yet, the Florida Panthers had so much confidence in him that, the same day they traded for him, he was already filled in as Saturday’s starter against the Sabres.

Following the important victory of the Florida Panthers over the Buffalo Sabres, HC Paul Maurice made it clear that nothing is easy in this NHL season.

Vanecek becomes the third goaltender in Panthers history to log a shutout in his franchise debut. The others: Chris Driedger against the Nashville Predators on Nov. 30, 2019, and Jose Theodore against the New York Islanders on Oct. 8, 2011.

The Winnipeg Jets have acquired goaltender Chris Driedger from the Florida Panthers in exchange for goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen. The move is a one-for-one goaltender swap that is a depth move for both teams.

In yet another move ahead of Friday's deadline, the reigning Cup champs have acquired goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen from the Winnipeg Jets for goaltender Chris Driedger, Frank Seravalli of DailyFaceoff reported Thursday.