Quick hit on this beautiful Saturday in Chicago.
Word out of the Panther organization is GM Dale Tallon is very open to dealing the top pick in this year's NHL Draft and there are many offers for the pick.
In my opinion, only a bonafide top RW will be acceptable in terms of trading out of the #1 spot. RW is the thinnest position on the team with Scottie Upshall, Brad Boyes, and RFA Jimmy Hayes the only starters on the roster. On the left side is Fleischmann, Huberdeau, Kopecky, and Bergenheim. All of them are under contract next season. It does not mean an upgrade wouldn't be welcome on the left side, but the right should be the focus.
Defenseman Aaron Ekblad is likely the prized jewel of this draft, and defensively challenged teams are probably lining up with offers for Tallon. Most notably, Edmonton. In an ideal world the Oilers would offer Eberle to move up to get Ekblad. That way the Panthers would still be n the third spot and be able to add another talented forward to their solid young core. Tallon can easily absorb Eberle's $6 million salary.
The problem with that is Edmonton is even more thin at RW with only Eberle and Yakupov listed at RW according to Cap Geek. Additionally, Yakupov apparently has no understanding or willingness to play defense at this time in his career, so who knows if Edmonton is going to try to ship him out of town.
Amidst all the talk, Florida could stay put, take Ekblad, and no one would blame them. He's an NHL-ready star in the making. He could also help immediately on special teams, where the Panthers redefined "dreadful" last year. But for a team that is always searching for more scoring, they really could go in any direction and fill a glaring need.
In this scenario of RW only, who does your team have or who is out there that you think would be a good deal for Florida to move down yet not be too far outside the top 3?
Keep in mind that Tallon has tons of money to spend in free agency, so he does have some flexibility on what he can do with this pick. But he has said he wants someone in this draft that can start right away, and he also wants a solid starter in return to move the first pick.
Let's hear those offers!
As always, thanks for comments and input.
Dan Spiegel Florida Panthers Media Follow me on Twitter Join the Florida Panthers Insiders FB Page Connect with me on Google Plus