Follow @SpiegelSports With Evgenii Dadonov out 4-6 weeks with a shoulder injury, Florida's explosive top line is now in flux.
In Monday night's much needed 3-2 win at New Jersey, Denis Malgin spent most of the time on Aleksander Barkov's right wing, filling in admirably. But head coach Bob Boughner is no stranger to mixing and matching lines daily. It would be no surprise to see Nick Bjugstad, Colton Sceviour, or Monday hero Jared McCann on the top line as the Cats take on the Rangers Tuesday night.
And THAT is the problem that Dadonov's injury creates. More experimenting. More tinkering. Hit or miss chemistry.
At this point in the season when the Panthers have a chance to create a little momentum to get back into the top half of the conference, there is practically no room for error after a sluggish start.
They are even behind their pace from last year...which got Gerard Gallant fired.
There is still lots of work to do, but slowly and surely the team is playing better. The defense is giving up less. The offense is snakebit with bad luck, but that part of the Panthers' game is also coming together.
Roberto Luongo has been absolutely sensational, but at 38 years old cannot be counted on to carry the load.
More goals are paramount, and with Dadonov out that job is even tougher. He is fourth on the team in points behind the big three of Trocheck, Barkov, and Huberdeau. Those three are on pace for 80+ points each this season.
In order to ensure the offense won't be the reason for a December swoon, GM Dale Tallon may have to make a deal.
I don't get into rumors, but the smoke around Tallon working the phones has picked up recently after defenseman Alex Petrovic was scratched for eight games before playing Monday.
There was speculation that Petrovic might be being held out to be dealt.
Players like Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, James Neal, Evander Kane, James Van Riemsdyk, and Alex Galchenyuk are likely on Tallon's wish list. Petrovic would be the centerpiece to any deal for these players, and possibly picks.
After being scratched for eight games, Petrovic played a solid game Monday. He is one of the few Florida defensemen that brings the "sandpaper" that Tallon covets. Was Monday an audition to be a firm part of the future or is he being showcased for other teams?
Would the Panthers trust so much undersized youth on the blue line and let Petrovic go for forward help? Tallon decided to protect Mark Pysyk and Petrovic in the expansion draft instead of Jonathan Marchessault and Riley Smith, who are both having great years for Vegas.
The forward help they currently need was already here.
During this time of consecutive scratches, many fans were wondering what was the point of letting Marchessault and Smith go if Petrovic wasn't being played. If Monday was any indication of what Petrovic will be bringing to the table moving forward, there is no reason for him to be out of the starting lineup. Surely one of the younger guys learning on the job can take the time off to learn and improve. Ian McCoshen was the defensive scratch Monday.
Therein lies the tough question.
Championships start from the goaltender out. Quality defensemen are like gold. Although young and raw, the Panthers are in great shape on the blue line. That certainly includes Petrovic.
With the other defensemen lacking trade value or having unmovable contracts, it would be a big risk to let a key player for the future go for offensive help now. Of course everything depends on the contract situation of a forward Tallon might be targeting.
For instance Evander Kane is on the last year of his contract and would need an expensive extension to validate a deal to Florida. Nugent-Hopkins has three years left on his current deal, making him a more desirable option. Both would be welcomed additions, especially when Dadonov returns.
Petrovic is making $1.85 million this year and will be an RFA next summer.
As well as Dryden Hunt and Henrik Haapala are doing filling in for Dadonov and also-injured Radim Vrbata, there is offensive punch missing. The quickest way to fix that is by making a deal.
How much is Tallon willing to damage the defense to improve the offense? Or is he willing at all?
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