Florida Panthers Still Need Help on the Blue Line

The Florida Panthers are expected to make a serious push for the postseason this year after some significant offseason additions. However, the team’s defensive core still looks unimpressive.

Without a deep and dependable pool of defensemen, success is hard to come by in today’s NHL. The Florida Panthers were an absolute nightmare in their own end last season, allowing the fourth-most goals against (273).

Poor goaltending and a weak effort from the team’s blueline were the most significant issues in last year’s disappointing play. I’m not convinced that the organization did enough to address its defensive deficiencies.

The signing of two-time Vezina winning goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky was a win for the Cats and bringing in Anton Stralman looks like a smart move. However, Stralman has been injury-prone, and even when healthy, he’s not a game-changer. As for Bobrovsky, as good as he is, he will still need some more support.

Even if Stralman stays healthy, the Panthers’ blueline faces a glaring issue: who will play with Aaron Ekblad?

Keith Yandle and Mike Matheson are far from ideal when it comes to playing alongside Ekblad. Matheson had the most giveaways in the league last year with 135 while Yandle was in eighth place with 110 and Ekblad had the fourth most at 122.

You would have to be crazy to think the Panthers could succeed having a pairing that coughs up the puck that frequently on the team’s top-four.

Luckily for Florida, they have a slew of enticing prospects that they could consider moving if they opt to explore the trade market. But, who may become available via trade this season?

Just for fun, let’s look at some top-four defensemen entering the final year on their contracts as they could be the center of trade talks this season.

One of the first players who come to mind is Calgary‘s, T.J Brodie. He will make $4.65M next year, and it’s unclear whether or not he’ll re-sign with the Flames.

If Flames GM Brad Treliving decides he’s not interested in bringing him back, it would be wise to trade him near the deadline. Maybe Dale Tallon elects to pick up the phone and kick on those tires.

Brodie put up respectable offensive numbers last year with 34 points in 79 games, but he lacked consistency. Despite posting a career-best Corsi percentage of 56%, he turned the puck over far more frequently last year than any other season in his career (100 giveaways).

For Brodie, it was strange to see so many giveaways. Throughout his career, he has been stable, and his mistakes have been limited. If he can get back to his usual, sturdy self, there will be a ton of interest if he’s made available.

It’s tough to break down Brodie’s trade value based on his bizarre statistical season but, it’s safe to assume the Flames won’t cough him up for cheap. The asking price at the trade deadline is generally steep, and Treliving would probably ask for at least a 1st round draft pick and a “B” level prospect in return. If you’re Dale Tallon, I think you have to consider it.

Brodie plays on the left side and might be able to address a dire need for the Cats. Could he be the ideal match for Aaron Ekblad?

Another defenseman entering the final year of his contract is Toronto Maple Leafs rearguard Jake Muzzin.

Like Brodie, Muzzin is a left-handed, reliable veteran whose name could be tossed around in trade rumours this year.

His current deal sees him earn $4M annually and the Leafs are rather strapped for cash at the moment. Maybe Toronto’s GM, Kyle Dubas, can pull a few strings to free up cap space, but as of now, it looks like Muzzin could be on the move.

Here’s what you need to know about Muzzin: his 6-foot-3, 215Lbs frame would be a welcomed addition to a rather under-sized Cats’ blueline. The guy is also a bonafide top-four d-man.

Playing in 80 games between the L.A Kings and the Leafs last year, Muzzin amassed 37 points and finished the season plus 21. His Corsi of 51.9% is another encouraging metric.

He won the Stanley Cup in 2014 and has played 57 playoff games averaging 20:51 minutes of ice-time throughout his career. That experience is important and undoubtedly adds to his trade value.

Again, the price to obtain his service will be costly. The Leafs acquired him last January and had to fork out a 1st round pick, prospect Carl Grundstrom, and the rights to Sean Durzi.

If the Panthers are looking for a less costly option, Brenden Dillon may be the right fit.

I will preface this by saying that I have no reason to believe the San Jose Sharks will be looking to part ways with the 6-foot-4, 225Lbs defender. He is, however, another left-handed blueliner with just one year remaining on his current $3.27M contract.

Dillon averaged less time on ice last year than Brodie or Muzzin as he was playing on a stacked San Jose back-end. But, that’s no reason to think he’s not capable of playing top-four minutes.

He put up a career-best 56.8% Corsi and gave the puck away just 38 times in 82 games. On the offensive end, Dillon recorded 22 points and was plus 19 playing an average of only 17:45 minutes a night.

I should add that there have been no significant rumours swirling around any of the players listed above. It would, however, make sense to see all three names in the rumour mill as the season moves on especially if their respective teams underperform.

Panthers fans may feel as though the team is ready to go for this season, but I would argue that the defence remains an organizational weak spot.

If some top-four calibre names are floating around in trade discussions before the deadline, I don’t think Tallon has much of an option but to kick some tires. If the asking price is a guy like Serron Noel or even Owen Tippett, I would still make the deal if it meant finally solidifying the back-end.