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Report: The Panther’s Get Their Goalie

In the wake of Roberto Luongo being traded last offseason for a bucket of hockey pucks and some Zamboni lube, the Panther’s have finally replaced him with a more than serviceable net minder. Reports are circulating around the net that your Florida Panther’s have acquired All Star goalie Tomas Vokoun from the Nashville Predators. The reliable George Richards breaks the news in his On Frozen Pond blog…

The Panthers have apparently swung a deal to grab Nashville All-Star Tomas Vokoun. Still wading through the rumors, but this can’t be anything but good for the Panthers. The big price was next year’s first round pick, but whatever. Sure, the price was steep, but it was the right move to make. You have to think JM did quite a nice job with this one. He didn’t panic, stayed cool throughout the deal — and didn’t get desperate and go to Minnesota for Manny Fernandez.

Three cheers for JM as he has done a remarkable job this offseason so far. I still expect us to go after some front line free agents including a speedy forward.

Stay tuned to SporTech for all your Panther offseason updates!

Woohoo!!

Update: TSN is confirming the deal. The deal is for a first-round pick and two second-round picks. Big price to pay to get your man.

Contract Update: Vokoun is signed for the next four seasons, making $5.5 million in 2007-08 with an escalating contract that maxes at $6.3 mil in 2010-11.