Wings send Kindl to Panthers for 2017 sixth-rounder

(Photo: David Guralnick, Detroit News)Denver – Defenseman Jakub Kindl, who was never able to secure a full-time job with the Red Wings, was traded by Detroit to the Florida Panthers on Saturday.

In exchange, the Panthers sent the Red Wings their 2017 sixth-round draft pick. The Red Wings will retain 15 percent of Kindl’s $2.4 million salary this season, and the same amount for next season.

This move also clears some salary cap space for the Red Wings ahead of Monday’s 3 p.m. Eastern trade deadline.

A 2009 first-round draft pick of the Red Wings, 19th overall, Kindl never utilized his size (6-foot-3, 200 pounds) in a physical way, lacked focus defensively, and never developed a mean streak the…