Panthers GM Rowe: McCann adds skill, club wants to re-sign Campbell

One Jared McCann, three birds.

Florida Panthers general manager Tom Rowe spoke to the media after trading defenseman Erik Gudbranson and a fifth-round draft pick to the Vancouver Canucks for Jared McCann and second- and fourth-round picks. He said that while it was a tough decision, the emergence of Mike Matheson on the blue line and the options McCann gives the club made it a deal he had to pull the trigger on.

Matheson was a first-round pick in 2012 and is only 22 years old. He took regular shifts during the playoffs, when the Panthers lost in the first round in six games to the New York Islanders.

Rowe also added that the Panthers are negotiating a contract with Ian McCoshen, a second-round pick, 31st overall, in 2013, who is playing in the NCAA with Boston College. In other words, the Panthers have replacements for Gudbranson, who will be a restricted free agent after next season.

The Panthers may need both Matheson and McCoshen to step up and contribute, as Brian Campbell is an unrestricted free agent who "sounds like" he'll test the market, The Miami Herald's George Richards added, citing Rowe.

The Panthers have six draft picks heading into the 2016 draft, according to CapFriendly. A first, a second (Vancouver's), and two picks each in the fourth and sixth rounds.