Panthers Acquire Tomas Kopecky from Blackhawks

The Florida Panthers announced on Monday that they have acquired the negotiating rights to right wing Tomas Kopecky from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for a seventh round pick in the 2012 or 2013 Entry Draft. The Panthers' seventh round pick in the 2012 draft is currently held by the Nashville Predators as a conditional pick. If the Predators don't meet the conditions for the pick, the Blackhawks will receive it. Otherwise, Chicago will get Florida's seventh round pick in 2013. Kopecky is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. In 81 games last season with the Blackhawks, he had 15 goals and 27 assists for 42 points. Not a bad trade for the Panthers, assuming they can sign Kopecky to a contract. If Florida can get him signed, he will bring plenty of two-way skill and grit to the forward lines, as well as a little offensive depth.