In a climate where it seems to be so difficult to make moves, how does Zito keep doing it?

All we hear about is how difficult it is to make trades in the NHL these days. And all we keep seeing is Florida Panthers GM Bill Zito continue to make them.

He sees a hole in his lineup? He fills it.

Case in point was the acquisition of Vladimir Tarasenko on Wednesday from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for a conditional fourth-round pick in 2024 and a third-rounder in 2025. That 2024 pick becomes a third-rounder if Florida wins the Stanley Cup — a price Zito would be more than thrilled to pay.

How, in a climate where it seems to be so difficult to make moves, does Zito keep doing it?

Well, it helps that he leveraged his position of strength. Tarasenko had a no-move clause and reportedly wanted to play in south Florida, so there’s that. But here’s a GM who doesn’t give excuses and finds solutions where others see problems. He makes moves, big ones and small ones, that continue to push the Panthers forward in their pursuit of the Stanley Cup.

And with Tarasenko in the lineup for that price, the Panthers are that much closer to achieving that goal. Remember, he's only five years removed from winning a Stanley Cup. And with 17 goals and 41 points in 57 games, the 32-year-old is still productive. 

It's something to keep in mind when Tarasenko scores that triple-overtime goal a couple of months from now.