The Florida Panthers are looking to hoist the Stanley Cup for the first time in franchise history after they went on an unprecedented run last season. While they are strapped for cash and assets that they can move elsewhere, there are a few under-the-radar forwards that will help this team return to the Stanley Cup Final and finish what they started last June.
None of the names mentioned below scream ‘blockbuster trade,’ but they are all serviceable role players who will make Florida a better overall hockey team. At the right price, one of them will fit into the Panthers limited budget in their quest for a Cup.
Keep in mind that some of these trade packages will overlap, and that’s because the Panthers would have a tough time realistically fitting them all into the lineup with a below-average prospects pool and little cap space. Therefore, expect one of them, or an identical player, to arrive in Sunrise with a similar package should Florida make a trade.
Dominik Kubalik is perfect, considering the Panthers current cap situation
Despite such little production this season, Dominik Kubalik can score, so let’s not fool ourselves into believing his game has taken a turn for the worst with just nine goals in 2023-24. He still has a 14.8 shooting percentage and a pair of goals on the power play. Therefore, trust in Kubalik if he arrives in an intra-divisional trade.
With a list of prospects as poor as the one the Ottawa Senators possess, Florida has enough draft picks to swap in this deal that could kickstart their division rival into replenishing their pool. In this trade, the Senators flip Kubalik to the Panthers for a third-round pick in 2024 and a second-rounder in 2025. This is a little more than Kubalik is worth, but Florida is more focused on winning a Cup than worrying about future assets.