With 20 games remaining, the Florida Panthers feel they have the team to make a run at the postseason.
On Wednesday, they got a little help.
Florida made perhaps the biggest splash of the NHL’s trade deadline day by picking up veteran forward Thomas Vanek from the Detroit Red Wings.
While the pricetag on players seemed high, the Panthers got Vanek — whose 15 goals led Detroit and would be fourth among Florida scorers — relatively cheap.
Florida gave up a third round pick and defenseman Dylan McIlrath (who has been playing in the AHL) for Vanek.