Two days after acquiring Vladimir Tarasenko from Ottawa, the league-leading Florida Panthers added depth and leadership in landing Buffalo’s Kyle Okposo. Buffalo acquired minor-league defenseman Calle Sjalin in a deal that provide the 35-year-old Sabres captain a chance to compete in the playoffs in what could be his final NHL season.
The Panthers had won six in a row, but each of their two losses the past two weeks have come on a goal with less than 30 seconds left in regulation, with a 1-0 loss in Carolina on Feb. 29 when Sebastian Aho lit the lamp with 19 seconds left.
Tarasenko’s wife and children have made South Florida their full-time home for the last year or so, which is one of many reasons why the veteran winger and Stanley Cup champion jumped at the chance to join the Panthers. Florida swung a trade with Ottawa on Wednesday for Tarasenko, sending two draft picks to the Senators.