Panthers Trade Bergenheim to Wild for Pick

Prior to puck drop Tuesday night in Chicago, Panthers GM Dale Tallon swung a deal that sent disgruntled winger Sean Bergenheim and a 2016 7th round pick to the Minnesota Wild for a 3rd round pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.  The Florida Panthers trade was the first one the Panthers have made since the season started.

“Sean was frustrated with his lack of ice time. He came to me … and I felt that maybe it was better if he went elsewhere. You don’t have to tell me twice.” – Dale Tallon.

Bergenheim became unhappy after a string of healthy scratches and requested a trade. Later on, after being called out by Head Coach Gerard Gallant, Bergenheim’s agent Todd Diamond spoke publicly about the situation, calling Gallant’s comments “A disgrace” and claiming the Panthers “Need to have their heads examined” if they thought they were better without his client in the lineup.

Bergenheim and Diamond wanted to be sure Bergenheim could still compete for a playoff spot, so a trade to the Wild allows for that to be a possibility.

“It’s unprofessional of the coach. You get away with that in the Quebec junior league, but not in the NHL. … You can’t tell me the team is better without Sean playing, even on the fourth line. He’s a disruptive force in the offensive zone, who keeps the puck and creates chaos.  “It’s a shame a guy makes that comment. It’s a disgrace. I find it distasteful. … If they want to question Sean’s character they should have their head examined.” – Todd Diamond.

The Wild receive a strong bottom-six winger, who has great possession numbers and is a proven playoff performer. In return the Panthers receive the Wild’s third rounder in 2016, a pick that will be used to gain the Panthers an Asset.  The Panthers can use that pick in a package to acquire the goal-scoring winger they need. Or, they can hold the pick and use it.

Here is a list of recent 3rd round picks by the Dale Tallon and the Florida Panthers:

Aside from Basaraba, all of these players seem to have at least some sort of NHL future at this point, though in various roles.  The Panthers scouting staff has proven that they have a keen eye for talent in the third round. Trocheck is currently playing for the Panthers, Shaw is in his first full professional year and has 21 points in 51 games in AHL San Antonio. Racine has all of the elements of a physical shutdown defenseman. He is a Plus 4 and has 105 PIMs in 49 games. Rau is having a Stellar season playing for the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers, with 31 points in 30 games so far.  Steven Hodges is in his first professional season and after a slow start in the NHL, was sent down to the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL where the offense he showed in Juniors has started to come, he has 7 points and 21 PIMs in 14 games in Cincinnati.  Lammikko came over from Finland to play for the Kingston Frontenacs and after a hot start has 34 points in 51 games.

Based on this list, Tallon, Scott Luce and company have proven they have a keen eye for talent in that round.  So, the Panthers benefit from this trade by clearing up a roster spot, sending out a player who no longer wanted to be part of the organization, and receive and asset that this management group has historically had success with.