SUNRISE, Fla. – The Florida Panthers completed two trades Saturday, getting forward Jiri Hudler from the Calgary Flames and defenseman Jakub Kindl from the Detroit Red Wings.
Another trade with Edmonton for Teddy Purcell was pending, with the expectation it would be completed later Saturday as well.
All the Panthers had to give up in each case was draft picks. Calgary got a second-round draft pick this year and a fourth-rounder in 2018 for Hudler, and Detroit got a sixth-rounder in 2017 for Kindl. TSN reported that the Oilers were taking a third-round pick for Purcell.
The Hudler and Kindl deals were all announced Saturday afternoon during Florida's game at Columbus, the Panthers loading up at the trade deadline in anticipation of what could be just their second postseason trip in the last 15 years.
"We are very pleased to welcome Jiri to the Panthers," Panthers general manager Dale Tallon said. "He is a highly skilled and experienced player that adds leadership, character and offensive ability to our team."
Hudler had 10 goals and 25 assists in 53 games with the Flames this season and has appeared in 77 playoff games in his career. He also was part of Detroit's Stanley Cup-winning roster in 2008 and last year won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy — the league's sportsmanship award.
Hudler has 155 goals and 251 assists in 657 regular-season games over parts of 11 seasons with the Flames and Red Wings.
Kindl recorded 68 points in 273 games with Detroit, plus has played in 19 playoff games.
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