I think it means less for Florida than it does guzda. I can see why they'd sign him, just confused as to why he would. Must have liked their development pitch.
I imagine it was something like:
"We only have two goalies signed next season, so there's a good chance you'd begin in the AHL and get a decent amount of starts. As a bonus, our AHL affiliate is relatively close to your hometown."
versus most other teams:
"We already have an AHL guy or two signed for next season, so there's a chance you'd have to start in the ECHL. But we'd give you every opportunity to earn an AHL spot."
Just looking at the 2022-23 depth charts of the teams that Jeff Marek listed as being interested:
Florida: Bobrovsky | Johansson (RFA) | Knight | Fitzpatrick (RFA)
Anaheim: Gibson | Stolarz | Dostal | Eriksson-Ek (RFA) | Alexander (WHL -- could sign ELC)
Pittsburgh: Jarry | DeSmith (UFA) | Lindberg | D'Orio (RFA) | Blomqvist (ELC?) | Clang (ELC?)
NY Rangers: Shesterkin | Georgiev | Huska (RFA) | Wall (RFA) | Garard (ELC) | Lindbom (ELC?)
Nashville: Saros | Rittich (UFA) | Ingram | Vomacka | Cooley (RFA) | Askarov (ELC?)
Carolina: Andersen | Raanta | Makiniemi | Warm | Kochetkov (ELC?)
Toronto: Campbell (UFA) | Mrazek | Woll (RFA) | Kallgren | Scott (RFA)
