11:22 a.m. Here's an odd one: The Panthers, assumed to be sellers in this year's trade market, have reportedly acquired Toronto enforcer/defenseman Wade Belak for a fifth-round draft pick.
Analysis: My guess is the Panthers are planning to dump some of their top defenseman (Ruslan Salei, Jassen Cullimore are two possibilities) and added Belak as insurance. He only makes $650,000, so keeping him on the roster wouldn't be a big deal if they fail to trade Salei or Cullimore. And if they do make a deal, Belak can play as a sixth d-man and be a deterrent to teams that try to take advantage what could be a truly lousy defense in the last 20 games.
I find it hard to believe the Panthers really think they have a chance to make the playoffs.