Goaltender Vitek Vanecek participates in his first on-ice workout with the Florida Panthers on March 6 at the Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale. (Florida Panthers) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/6298611a-743e-4db8-b50a-ad53b9af8749.jpeg] Goaltender Vitek Vanecek participates in his first on-ice workout with the Florida Panthers on March 6 at the Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale. (Florida Panthers) The Florida Panthers goaltending situation has been somewhat fluid over the past several days. Last week, the status quo had remained with Sergei Bobrovsky as the starter, Spencer Knight as the backup and goalie of the future and Chris Driedger as the No. 3. Then on Saturday, Panthers General Manager Bill Zito made a blockbuster trade with the Chicago Blackhawks, acquiring All-Star defenseman Seth Jones in exchange for a 1st Round Pick…and Knight. Driedger was brought up from AHL Charlotte act as Florida’s backup while Zito continued to work the phones. Then, four nights after the Jones deal, the Panthers made a trade with the San Jose Sharks for goaltender Vitek Vanecek in exchange for forward Patrick Giles. By Thursday morning, Vanecek was on the ice with the Panthers in South Florida and Driedger was heading back to Charlotte. "It's exciting, for sure," Vanecek said Thursday after his first practice with the Panthers. "I know the team is really good here defensively and offensively, so I think it's going to work well." So after a very fluid few days, Florida's goalie situation was settled. Or so we thought. Thursday afternoon, Zito made another goalie move, this time bringing in veteran Kaapo Kahkonen from the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for Driedger. Like Driedger, Kahkonen has spent most of his time this season in the American Hockey League but has ample experience at the NHL level. It's expected that Kahkonen will head to Charlotte and serve as Florida's No. 3 goaltender, behind Bobrovsky and Vanecek. The Panthers will be in action Thursday night when they host the Columbus Blue Jackets at Amerant Bank Arena. Vanecek will be there, backing up Sergei Bobrovsky. “I’m really excited to play here,” said Vanecek. “I hope we’re going to go as far as possible and win the Stanley Cup again.” LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA Florida Panthers acquire center Nico Sturm from San Jose [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/florida-panthers-acquire-center-nico-sturm-from-san-jose] Panthers aim for fifth straight win as playoff hopeful Columbus arrives in Sunrise [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/game-day/panthers-aim-for-fifth-straight-win-as-playoff-hopeful-columbus-arrives-in-sunrise] Panthers continue fortifying roster, sign forward Jesper Boqvist to 2-year extension [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/players/panthers-continue-fortifying-roster-sign-forward-jesper-boqvist-to-2-year-extension] Florida Panthers sign Jesse Puljujarvi to 1-year, 2-way contract after stint with AHL affiliate [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/florida-panthers-sign-jesse-puljujarvi-to-1-year-2-way-contract-after-stint-with-ahl-affiliate] Panthers acquire veteran goaltender Vitek Vanecek from San Jose [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/panthers-acquire-veteran-goaltender-vitek-vanecek-from-san-jose]
