The Florida Panthers have done what some may have thought was unthinkable; trading injured center Dave Bolland to the Arizona Coyotes.
Getting the Desert Dogs to take the final three years of Bolland big contract off their hands cost the Cats 2015 first-rounder Lawson Crouse. In return, Florida gets back Arizona’s third-round pick in 2017 and a second-round pick in 2018. If Crouse doesn’t play at least ten games for the Coyotes this season, that seconder-round will turn into a third.
Florida has been looking to buy out the remainder of Bolland’s deal, but have been unable to do so because the veteran pivot is injured and may never play again.
Crouse was taken 11th overall by the Cats at the 2015 Entry Draft in Sunrise. The prospect has prototypical power forward size and leadership abilities, but there have been questions about his offensive upside and where he would fit in the Panthers’ lineup.
The move opens up the space needed for Florida to sign Jonathan Huberdeau, and perhaps Alex Petrovic to a contract extension.