Panthers Acquire Vitek Vanecek from Sharks for Patrick Giles

The Florida Panthers have acquired goaltender Vitek Vanecek from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for forward Patrick Giles, as the team seeks to bolster its goaltending depth ahead of the upcoming NHL trade deadline. Vanecek, who has struggled this season with a 3-10-3 record and an .882 save percentage, will serve as a backup to Sergei Bobrovsky following the recent trade of Spencer Knight to the Chicago Blackhawks. Giles, 25, has shown promise in the AHL but has yet to make a significant impact in the NHL, potentially providing the Sharks with a young player to develop. Vanecek's move to the Panthers marks his fourth NHL team, and he is expected to benefit from joining a defensively solid squad. The Sharks have also recalled Georgi Romanov from the AHL to fill the void left by Vanecek's departure. This trade is part of the Panthers' ongoing strategy to enhance their roster as they defend their Stanley Cup title.