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Florida Panthers: Seven Forwards the Cats Could Target this Summer

By Jonathan Reichenberger

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 08: Florida celebrates the eventual game winner from Florida Panthers left wing Maxim Mamin (78) during a game between the Boston Bruins and the Florida Panthers on April 8, 2018, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Panthers defeated the Bruins 4-2. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 08: Florida celebrates the eventual game winner from Florida Panthers left wing Maxim Mamin (78) during a game between the Boston Bruins and the Florida Panthers on April 8, 2018, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Panthers defeated the Bruins 4-2. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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#2 Jeff Skinner

NEWARK, NJ – MARCH 27: Jeff Skinner #53 of the Carolina Hurricanes in action against the New Jersey Devils on March 27, 2018 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils defeated the Hurricanes 4-3. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ – MARCH 27: Jeff Skinner #53 of the Carolina Hurricanes in action against the New Jersey Devils on March 27, 2018 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils defeated the Hurricanes 4-3. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/NHLI via Getty Images) /

While many thought that the Hurricanes could slide into the playoffs (despite missing out), it seems like they aren’t happy with the roster they have at the moment. It looks like the Hurricanes are getting ready to part ways with some of their players who don’t fit their new identity. One of those players is Jeff Skinner. The Panthers should be eagerly phoning the Hurricanes’ front office and working as hard as they can to bring Jeff Skinner down to Florida.

Nonetheless, Skinner had a decent year, considering who he had to play with. While he was decent in his play, his production was a little bit of a letdown from his production in the 2016-17 season. This season, Skinner tallied 49 points in 82 games, while the previous year (2016-17) he recorded 63 points in 79 games played.

Since Skinner is only 25-years-old, there’s still some growth left in his game as a player. This would be an opportune time for the Panthers to swoop in and take him while the Hurricanes are selling low.

Jeff is currently earning $5.725 million a year, but only has one more year left on his contract before he becomes a UFA. The Panthers could acquire him while keeping their top five core together and see if he fits in well enough to re-sign beyond the one-year left on his contract. Personally, Skinner is my favorite target for this offseason.

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