Panthers acquire Wellman from Rangers for fifth-round draft pick

SUNRISE, Fla. -- The Florida Panthers have acquired center Casey Wellman from the New York Rangers in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2014 draft.

Wellman has appeared in 41 NHL games, all with the Minnesota Wild, with four goals and nine assists. He was traded to the Rangers in February and spent this past season in the American Hockey League.

The 24-year-old Wellman played his college hockey at Massachusetts.

Florida general manager Dale Tallon calls Wellman "a young, highly skilled forward" who may have the chance to play both center and right wing with the Panthers.

Florida opens training camp in mid-September.