Panthers trade for rights to Chicago's Kopecky

A conditional seventh-round draft pick was enough to lure Stan Bowman's Blackhawks into sending soon-to-be unrestricted free agent Tomas Kopecky to the Florida Panthers.

The 29 year-old forward's expiring two-season contract paid him $1.2M per year, with an identical salary cap hit. Yes, Dale Tallon signed him to it.

It's entirely possible Kopecky allows himself to test the waters of unrestricted free agency on July 1st, but honestly: forgetting this is yet another of likely many 'Hawks to head for Sunrise, who's going to offer more than the Cats?

Pencil him into the roster.

Official statement here. Talking Repik after the jump as well.