Buyers or Sellers?
The Florida Panthers are providing one of the feel-good stories of the NHL this season. For a happy ending to occur in June, the Panthers are expected to be in the unfamiliar role as buyers with the trade deadline approaching.
Currently atop the Atlantic Division, Florida (34-18-7) has enjoyed solid seasons from both veterans Jaromir Jagr (team-leading 20 goals, 43 points) and goaltender Roberto Luongo (25-14-5) while the team has pieced together arguably one of the best young cores of the league.
General manager Dale Tallon is on record as saying that the club won't mortgage the future for "a quick fix." Taken at face value, perhaps a cheap rental or a modest move or two is what the Panthers hope will drive them to the Promised Land.
Team Needs
Florida could use a jolt for its 27th-ranked power play (16.4 percent) as it prepares to make its second playoff appearance since the 1999-2000 season.
The team also would be best served to add a bit more veteran leadership along the blue line, as it currently features Brian Campbell and injured captain Willie Mitchell.
The Panthers have used stopgaps in the form of plenty of prospects from Portland of the American Hockey League, but an experienced blue-liner likely would give coach Gerard Gallant's club a bit more confidence.
Key Players
Andrew Ladd
Tallon may reach out to acquire a familiar face in the Winnipeg Jets captain. The Panthers general manager previously has secured the services of Ladd, bringing the gritty forward to the Chicago Blackhawks in 2008.
The Jets likely will have plenty of suitors for Ladd - including the Blackhawks - so the price might be more than Tallon is willing to pay.
Scott Hartnell
Now, if Tallon and the Panthers lose out on Ladd, perhaps acquiring veteran two-way forward Scott Hartnell might be in the cards.
The 33-year-old Saskatchewan native continues to produce despite clashing with Columbus Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella. Hartnell's contract runs for three more years after this season, and therein lies the primary problem for the Panthers.
Teddy Purcell
Setting their sights a bit lower, the Panthers could look to add a top-nine forward in the person of Purcell of the Edmonton Oilers. An unrestricted free agent next season, Purcell isn't too far removed from posting personal bests in goals (24) and power-play tallies (eight) during the 2011-12 campaign with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
