Panthers trade Reimer to Hurricanes for Darling, 6th-round pick

The Florida Panthers have traded goaltender James Reimer to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for netminder Scott Darling and a sixth-round pick in 2020, the teams announced Sunday.

Florida will buy out the final two seasons of Darling's four-year, $16.6-million contract.

The Panthers have been working to trade Reimer throughout the offseason. Between Sunday's deal and Roberto Luongo's recent retirement, Florida now has the money and roster spots to take a run at prized free-agent netminder Sergei Bobrovsky.

Adding a goalie was the top offseason priority for the Hurricanes as well, with both Petr Mrazek and Curtis McElhinney slated for unrestricted free agency. General manager Don Waddell confirmed Saturday that the latter won't be returning next season.

Reimer, 31, appeared in 36 games for the Panthers this past season, posting a .900 save percentage.