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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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Perfect Scenario

BOSTON, MA – APRIL 8: The Florida Panthers celebrate the win against the Boston Bruins at the TD Garden on April 8, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Steve Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – APRIL 8: The Florida Panthers celebrate the win against the Boston Bruins at the TD Garden on April 8, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Steve Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Although there are many options that the Panthers could choose from this year, I do think that Max Pacioretty will also be a Panther by the time the team takes the ice for the 2018-19 season. If the Panthers do trade for Pacioretty, this will likely mean that Nick Bjugstad will be shipped to Montreal in exchange.

This would leave another opening in the top six, which would create a perfect opportunity to add another top six winger via free agency or hand the spot over to Henrik Borgstrom. Adding someone like JVR or Perron would create a dynamite top six for the Cats that would push them into contention for winning the Stanley Cup not only immediately, but also in the future.

(Possible top two lines for the Panthers if they acquire Pacioretty via trade, sign another top 6 winger or hand over the spot to youngster Henrik Borgstrom).

Jonathan Huberdeau – Aleksander Barkov – Evgeni Dadonov

James van Riemsdyk/David Perron/Henrik Borgstrom – Vincent Trocheck – Max Pacioretty

Does it seem unrealistic? No. It only takes one trade and one free agent signing to create these two lines. But, it’s worth mentioning that there’s a very good chance that this doesn’t happen. Obviously, If I’m the Panthers, this is what I’m looking to do this summer.

Next: Dryden Hunt Could Provide a Spark in 2018

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