BREAKING: Josh Morrissey has been traded to the Florida Panthers!

Since PKayne joined the league in 2011, The Panthers have been known for being an extremely active team on the trade market. Whatever their position was, they were trying to get their franchise better, long term if they were having a disappointing season or short term if they felt they were ready to go all-in. They had all sorts of problems but since a couple of years, they've been more constant and able to established themself as a top team in the RHL. 

That's why we've seen much more buyer trades then seller trades in Sunrise the past few years. After being eliminated in the Eastern Conference finals, PKayne felt like it was time for his team to take a leap and become a top contender. So they part with Nick Suzuki, Aätu Raty and 2 picks (including a 1st round selection) to add elite center Nathan MacKinnon to their group. As of right now, it worked well since the Panthers are 1st in the league, tied with the New Jersey Devils.

So it wasn't a secret around the league that, with the trade deadline approaching, PKayne would try to make another splash. And that's what he did on February 12th by grabbing elite defenceman Josh Morrissey from the Seattle Kraken in exchange for top prospect Luke Evangelista, defenceman Erik Cernak, forward Rem Pitlick, as well as a 2nd and a 4th round pick in this year's draft. The Panthers also received Connor Carrick and Dylan McIlrath in the trade to make contracts work. They're both pending UFA.

Here's what GM PKayne had to say about the trade: "Just like this summer when we acquired Nathan MacKinnon, we felt like it was time to make a leap forward on our blue line. It was already really good but with the addition of Josh, it is now, to my humble opinion, the best D group around the league. Morrissey is only 27 years old and on a decent contract so we were really pleased to add him. He'll bring some more offense to an already offensive-minded group. Joshy is also a tremendous human being and we're lucky to have him around our young players too. Excited for what's coming!"

He then added: "That being said, I'd like to thanks Erik (Cernak) and Rem (Pitlick) for their contribution throughout the years. They've done some good things on and off the ice for us. And also best of luck to Luke (Evangelista) who's a terrific young player and will be a key player for the Kraken eventually, I have no doubt!".

Morrissey already played his first game with the organization as he formed a pairing with Victor Hedman. He finished the game with a +1 differential, 1 hit, 2 shots and a 20:49 of icetime. He won't have to wait a long time to play his 2nd game with the Panthers as they are on the road to face the St-Louis Blues tonight. 

Thanks for reading,

Mark Kandy for the Miami Sun