A lot has changed for Erik Gudbranson since the end of last season.

First and foremost, the defenseman finds himself playing for the Vancouver Canucks after being jettisoned by the Panthers, who drafted him third overall in 2010.

Set to play his former teammates in his old home rink for the first time Saturday, Gudbranson said a date in Florida was the first game he looked for on Vancouver's schedule, and admits to being shocked upon first learning about the trade while on vacation in Africa.

"I got signed, what, like two weeks before that? So at that point I thought I was coming back here next year," he told reporters Saturday. "It's part of the business. Obviously my geographical whereabouts made it interesting, but it's been a nice change."

Gudbranson had indeed signed a one-year, $3.5-million contract two weeks prior to the trade.

On top of that, Gudbranson watched as the Panthers recently fired head coach Gerard Gallant in favor of general manager Tom Rowe, another move he thought came out of left field.

"I was very surprised," he said. "I obviously knew (Gallant) and the whole situation from last year and it was a very good one. I wasn't privy to what was going on in the locker room this year and what happened. Obviously my focus has been with Vancouver and we got enough on our plate to deal with.

"(But) it's unfortunate. He's a great man, he was a really good coach, and I wish him all the best."

Gudbranson is averaging 20:15 of ice time, with one goal, four assists, and a minus-13 rating in 27 appearances with the Canucks. He added he's hoping to make it as difficult as possible for the Panthers to break their four-game losing streak in Saturday's matchup.

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