Happy fire-sale! And may the odds be ever in your favor.
Following the packaging of two draft picks in exchange for Chicago Blackhawks‘ prospect Brandon Pirri, Florida Panthers’ GM Dale Tallon worked the phones once again Tuesday. Finding themselves on the outermost rings of playoff contention, the Cats seem primed for yet another fire sale, as they attempt to stockpile quality picks in an effort to build through the draft for the umpteenth time. First up on the chopping block? Rearguard Mike Weaver. Ironing out a deal with the Montreal Canadiens, Tallon shipped out his leading shot-blocker in exchange for a 2015 fifth-rounder.
Weaver, a defensive defenseman, has had a rough go of things thus far; putting up six points off of no goals through 55 games, the stay-at-home blueliner has registered a minus-nine rating on the campaign. Both figures sit below last season’s marks of 9 points and a minus-three rating, despite playing on a better (I’m throwing that word around pretty liberally here) Panthers squad than the one that finished dead last in Goals Against and second to last in Goals For last go-around.
Taking into consideration Weaver’s expiring contract and advancing age, the deal worked out decently enough; the trade also opens up space for young Dylan Olsen to make an impact in the lineup, barring any sort of cataclysmic shake-up.
For his sake, I hope Weaver knows how to speak French.
Alex Lopez
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