Canucks acquire Booth in four-player deal with Panthers

(Reuters) - Vancouver have acquired David Booth and Steve Reinprecht from the Florida Panthers in exchange for Mikael Samuelsson and Marco Sturm, the Canucks said on Saturday.

Vancouver will also receive a third round draft pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft from Florida.

"He (Booth) gives us an opportunity to have a top six forward, a left winger to play with Ryan Kesler," Canucks general manager Mike Gillis told reporters at a press conference.

"We were looking to try to get a little bit younger and a little bit quicker."

Booth, 26, scored 23 goals among 40 points last season in 82 games for Florida. He has 167 points in 309 career games with Florida.

Samuelsson, 34, who was in his third season with Vancouver, has amassed 314 points in 621 NHL games with San Jose, New York Rangers, Pittsburgh, Florida and Detroit.

Sturm, 33, was in his first season with Vancouver and has 482 points in 896 NHL games with San Jose, Boston, Los Angeles and Washington.

"This trade gives us more depth as both Mikael Samuelsson and Marco Sturm are first-class, top-notch, two-way NHL players," Florida general manager Dale Tallon said in a statement.

"In addition, Samuelsson is a Stanley Cup Champion, and this trade gives us better roster flexibility moving forward."

Reinprecht, 35, has played with the Panthers American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate in San Antonio this season. In 663 NHL games with Los Angeles, Colorado, Calgary, Phoenix and Florida Reinprecht has 382 points.

(Reporting by Mike Mouat in Windsor, Ontario)