Chicago trades Kopecky's rights to Florida

Three days after Dale Tallon convinced Brian Campbell to waive his no movement clause and come to Florida, it appears the Panthers' general manager is continuing to stick with what he knows.

In their second deal with Tallon's former team, the Chicago Blackhawks, in the past four days, the Panthers acquired the negotiating rights to forward Tomas Kopecky, whom Tallon had signed to a two-year contract while Chicago's GM in July 2009. The Blackhawks will receive Florida's seventh-round pick in the 2012 Entry Draft, which is presently conditional to Nashville. If that pick is not available, Chicago will receive Flroida's seventh-round pick in 2013.

The clock is now ticking for Tallon and the Panthers, who have until noon ET on Friday to sign Kopecky to a new deal. If Florida is unable to do so, the 6-foot-3, 200-pound Slovak will become an unrestricted free agent.

Kopecky finished last season with 15 goals and 27 assists in 81 games for Chicago as the Blackhawks made the postseason on the final day of the season before losing in seven games to Vancouver in the opening round of the playoffs. In 2010, Kopecky was a part of Chicago's first Stanley Cup championship in 49 years, scoring the game-winner in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final against Philadelphia.

It was Kopecky's second Cup in his first three full seasons in the NHL. He was also a member of the Detroit Red Wings for their championship season in 2008.

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