Ranking the Players the Florida Panthers Should Covet at Trade Deadline
The Florida Panthers currently sit three points out of a playoff spot, and there's a chance they could overtake the Boston Bruins, given that David Krejci will miss the next four to six weeks due to a partial MCL tear, according to team officials.
The Panthers have been a fun team to watch all season long, particularly because of a youth movement centered on Nick Bjugstad, Aleksander Barkov, Jonathan Huberdeau and Aaron Ekblad.
The Panthers are going to be in a prime position to contend in the upcoming years, but they should still try to bolster the roster for a playoff run. By no means should Florida deal from the young talent pool, but trading lesser prospects and draft picks shouldn't be out of the question.
With that in mind, here are the players Florida should target at the deadline.
No. 5: Loui Eriksson, Boston Bruins
Age: 29
Cap Hit: $4.25 million
The Boston Bruins need cap relief. The Florida Panthers could use another scoring winger for the top six. This seems like a match made in heaven, and it is a situation that wouldn't likely cost much for general manager Dale Tallon.
The Bruins wouldn't want to take on any salary in return, so they would likely want a second-round draft choice and one of the Panthers' second-tier prospects.
Ian McCoshen is a talented 6'3", 207-pound NCAA defense prospect who could draw the interest of the Bruins, and Tallon might be willing to part with him. He is a prospect with a bright future, but also having studs like Mike Matheson and Alex Petrovic could make this easier to stomach for Florida.
Adding Eriksson would give the Panthers another solid two-way offensive threat for the first or second line, and there's a chance the team could sign him to an extension over the summer.
No. 4: Michael Ryder, New Jersey Devils
Age: 34
Cap Hit: $3.5 million
If the Panthers want to go for a cheaper option—in terms of cost to acquire—Michael Ryder would be a good fit. He's a veteran scoring forward who is having a down year, but practically no one has played well for the New Jersey Devils this season.
Historically, Ryder has been a solid fixture on the power play. He could be a nice fit on the Panthers' third line and their second power-play unit.
Ryder wouldn't be as big of a draw as Eriksson, but he'd cost a fraction of the price to add.
No. 3: Jordan Eberle, Edmonton Oilers
Age: 24
Cap Hit: $6 million
According to NESN, there were rumors that the Panthers were interested in acquiring Phil Kessel, and that's something that appears to be a bit unrealistic when you consider what it would cost in assets. A trade for Jordan Eberle, on the other hand, would be something that the Panthers could make happen.
The Oilers really don't need any more forwards at this point in time, but they could use some help on defense. As noted in the Loui Eriksson slide, the Panthers have a number of defense prospects they could deal, including Ian McCoshen and Mike Matheson.
If the Panthers wanted to get bold, they could try to unload the contract of soon-to-be 36-year-old Brian Campbell in a deal for Eberle as well. Although losing Campbell would hurt for the rest of the season, there's the possibility that the Panthers could add another defender at the deadline or even a young option in free agency.
It would be a risky move, but the Panthers are at a point where they should think about adding some established young players to complement their developing core.
No. 2: Daniel Winnik, Toronto Maple Leafs
Age: 29
Cap Hit: $1.3 million
The Florida Panthers could decide to be thrifty at the deadline, and in that situation Daniel Winnik would be a solid target. He's a solid top-nine winger who could shore up the Panthers' third line. Winnik has 25 points this season, and that is two less than current top-six wingers Brad Boyes and Jimmy Hayes.
In addition to his offensive abilities, Winnik could help the Panthers' penalty kill. He leads the Maple Leafs in short-handed T.O.I. per game, and his proficiency in penalty killing would help a Panthers' squad who ranks 25th in the league for penalty-kill efficiency.
No. 1: Cam Atkinson, Columbus Blue Jackets
Age: 25
Cap Hit: $1.15 million
Cam Atkinson is a solid second or third liner who would add some more offensive firepower to the Panthers lineup. He has 24 points in 54 games this season and is on pace to finish the season with 19 goals and 35 points.
That type of production is decent for a third liner, and he'd cost little because of his cap hit. He would be a low-risk, high-reward add for the Panthers and one that fits their operating style.
Rumors and salary-cap information via NHL.com and The Fourth Period. Stats via Hockey-Reference, NHL.com and Own The Puck.