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SUNRISE, Fla. (Ticker) - The Florida Panthers on Thursday signed right wing Valeri Bure, who had been reunited with superstar brother Pavel in a draft-day trade with the Calgary Flames.
Financial terms were not disclosed for the younger Bure, who was a Group II restricted free agent.

Valeri Bure, 27, passed a physical Thursday morning and was expected to practice for the first time as a Panther later in the day at the National Car Rental Center.

A former All-Star, Bure was part of a purge in Calgary, where the Flames hired a new coach and shook up their roster as they try to end a five-year playoff drought.

Trying to shake up a team that went just 22-38-13-9 last season, the Panthers sent center Rob Niedermayer and a second-round draft pick to the Flames for Bure and center Jason Wiemer.

Bure was the key to the deal for Florida, especially if he is able to mesh with his brother, who is regarded as one of the best players in the league.

Regardless of his relationship with the "Russian Rocket," the "Pocket Rocket" brings a lot of talent to Florida. He has 139 goals and 163 assists in seven NHL seasons.

"We're excited to have both Bure brothers skating together, but that's not why we made the deal," general manager Bill Torrey said. "We signed Valeri because he is an outstanding player."

Valeri Bure earned a spot on the 2000 All-Star team alongside his brother en route to a career-high 35-goal season. But he slumped in 2000-01, finishing with 27 goals, 28 assists and a team-worst minus-21 rating.

Although both Bure brothers are right wings, the Panthers have thought about putting them on the same line. They played together in the 2000 All-Star Game and combined for six points.

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