Florida Panthers land forward Tomas Kopecky for seventh-round draft pick

SUNRISE, Fla. - The Florida Panthers have three days to convince Tomas Kopecky not to become an unrestricted free agent.

The NHL team acquired his rights from Chicago on Monday for a seventh-round draft pick.

Kopecky is due to become a free agent on Friday.

The 29-year-old forward had 42 points (15-27) in 81 games for the Blackhawks last season while earning US$1.2 million.

Florida still needs to add more than $20 million in payroll to reach the salary floor next year.