Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
As the Florida Panthers continue to explore their options by ways of a trade, not only must they look to see who they might want to add but who they are willing to let go of in their organization as part of the trade.
The Panthers have a deep group of young players, especially down the middle that can get them that goal scoring forward that they seek. But who could be on the block for Florida? Here is a look at a couple of names to keep an eye out for as the Panthers look to make a trade.
The signing of Dave Bolland and Derek MacKenzie created a log jam at the center position, and with Aleksander Barkov and Nick Bjugstad the future of the team there isn’t going to be space at the center position for the foreseeable future.
While it is good to keep depth in case of injuries, the Panthers have other players that can provide depth if needed. Any team looking for a player with a second line center upside and who is responsible in both ends could seek Shore. I mentioned him before as a potential piece in a Mike Green trade, and would be my first option in any trade.
After Shore, Trocheck might be the player most expendable with the highest value. His brief 20-game stint with the NHL team sky rocketed his value, as he showed the ability to play in both ends and that his offense translated to the next level.
His sub-6-foot frame may cause some to back off, but wherever Trocheck has gone he has scored – some team will gladly take his upside. He will be more sought after than Shore, and if I were the Panthers I would do everything I could to move him first over Shore.
This is the most likely trade, but a trade that would potentially yield the smallest return. Florida is on pace to have eight defensemen come opening night, with the top-five spots locked up it would be hard to believe that they would rotate three players in one spot.
Petrovic and Robak are former draft picks of the Panthers, but with the addition of Dylan Olsen mid-season last year it may have pushed one or both out of the franchise’s plans.
What is the ideal trade involving the Panthers? Who would be the easiest to move, and the hardest? Comment below and follow The Rat Trick on Twitter and like us on Facebook.