I haven’t won a lot of games in the last couple of years, unfortunately. For the role that I play, [winning] means something.’

SUNRISE, Fla. – Florida Panthers President of Hockey Operations & General Manager Bill Zitoannounced today that the club has acquired forward Nico Sturm and a 2027 seventh-round selection from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for Florida’s 2026 fourth-round selection.

It had been three months since Vitek Vanecek won a game in the NHL. Yet, the Florida Panthers had so much confidence in him that, the same day they traded for him, he was already filled in as Saturday’s starter against the Sabres.