The Florida Panthers, parent club of the AHL’s new Springfield franchise, on Friday acquired forwards Paul Thompson and Graham Black from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for Florida’s 2018 second-round pick and Marc Savard.
Thompson, 27, recorded 13 goals and 22 assists for 35 points in 56 regular-season games with the Albany Devils in 2015-16, along with three goals and one assist in 10 Calder Cup Playoff matches.
The native of Methuen, Mass., has skated in 329 career AHL games with Albany, Springfield and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, totaling 85 goals and 77 assists for 162 points. He set career single-season highs in 2014-15 with 33 goals and 55 points.
Thompson made his NHL debut with New Jersey this season as well, appearing in three games.
Black, 23, posted seven goals and two assists for nine points in 50 regular-season games with Albany in 2015-16, and contributed two goals and two assists in five postseason contests.
A native of Regina, Sask., Black will be entering his third pro season in 2016-17. He has totaled 14 goals and nine assists for 23 points in 98 career AHL games.
Black was a fifth-round draft pick by New Jersey in 2012.
