Florida Panthers Trade Lawson Crouse, Dave Bolland to Arizona

Florida Panthers Trade Top Prospect Lawson Crouse, Veteran Dave Bolland to Arizona For Pair of Draft Picks

Announced Thursday morning, the Florida Panthers trade prospect Lawson Crouse and 30-year-old veteran Dave Bolland to Arizona Coyotes for a pair of draft picks.

The Panthers will receive a conditional second round pick (if Crouse doesn’t play in Arizona in 2015-16, it becomes a third rounder), and better of Arizona/Detroit’s 2017 third round pick that was acquired back in June.

The Arizona Coyotes will be on the hook for Dave Bolland’s remaining $5.5 million dollar/year salary for three more seasons.

Who knows what the future holds for Bolland. Can he re-establish himself with a stretch of good health? Perhaps, but highly unlikely. There’s also a chance he finds himself on the long-term IR again given his recurring issues – Florida was unable to buyout his contract because he failed a physical.

via The Score,

Crouse was drafted 11th overall by the Panthers in 2015. The big left winger – he’s 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds – had 23 goals and 39 assists in 49 games for the OHL’s Kingston Frontenacs last season.

Strictly Salary Dump

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As you can probably tell, this was strictly a salary dump by Florida. They were trying to clear up the extra $9-plus million in cap space when the buyout period opened back in June. It’s a nasty price to pay to make extra room for players that can help win now.

No, Lawson Crouse wasn’t likely to have an impact in the very near future – but it’s no reason to mortgage the future just because the organization feels they need to win immediately. I don’t remember Chicago or Tampa Bay trading away top prospects to become Stanley Cup contenders.

The Blackhawks are the closest thing to a modern-day dynasty. They didn’t become the NHL’s most dominant franchise because they traded away 11th overall picks before they finished junior.

Sure, they traded away some great players such as Andrew Ladd and Dustin Byfuglien (back in 2010), but the Blackhawks knew what they were losing. Similar situation this past summer with Andrew Shaw and Teuvo Teravainen.

Next: Restricted Free Agent Contract Updates

Those are moves you can explain to fans because you know exactly what you’ve given up. What happens if Florida falls flat on its face over the next three years, and Lawson Crouse blossoms into a productive top-six forward (very possible)?

Put it this way folks, the Florida Panthers are all-in. Clearly ownership and management believe they can still win in Roberto Luongo‘s quickly closing Stanley Cup window. Let’s hope they’re right or this could get ugly in the near future.