Try as he might, Ric Jackman couldn’t find a permanent spot in the Panthers’ defense. So it was best for all parties when coach and GM Jacques Martin found a place for him to play — at least for the short term — in Anaheim.

Traded for a conditional pick in the 2007 NHL draft, Jackman will get his chance with arguably the league’s best team while two of their top three defensemen, Chris Pronger and Francois Beachemin, recover from injuries.

Acquired from Pittsburgh at the trade deadline last March for former first-round pick Petr Taticek — who is certainly in the running for worst Panther pick ever — Jackman appeared in 15 games last season, then appeared to have a shot at making the top six in training camp this year. He offered the experience of six seasons in the NHL and a big shot that seemed a potent weapon on the power play.

But every time he got his chance, you could just see Martin cringing at his slipups on the defensive end. And soon enough, he was out of the lineup again.

Jackman was gracious upon his departure, saying, “I’m sad to leave this team. It’s a top-class organization here, great guys, and I hope they can turn things around.” His teammates were generally disappointed to see him go and sincere in wishing him luck with the Ducks.

As for Florida, there’s still depth at the spot in Joel Kwiatkowski and rising prospect Martin Lojek, who has been impressive at AHL Rochester.