Florida Panthers Deadline Day wish list

Again, Bill Zito has developed a blockbuster trade. Six days before the trading deadline and after a win on Saturday afternoon against the Calgary Flames and a creative former Florida Panthers, Zito sent a flash through the trading scene with a deal that brought high -ranking defenders Seth Jones with a high proportion of sunrise.

Since the Panthers General Manager, no front office in the NHL has been as brave and aggressive as Zito to acquire big players who fit the vision and culture that he and head coach Paul Maurice have developed. When the retail period on Friday received an unexpected surplus for available cap-rooms with the placement of the star wing player Matthew Tkachuk in the long-term injured reserve. With over 8.7 million US dollars, Zito could be active again on the trading market. If he is, what could he address and who would be fit?

A medium -sized six striker

When Tkachuk fails, the Panthers have a noticeable gap in the line -up. Tkachuk brings fire, intensity and high-end games. Zito will not be wrapped in a player on the market. However, there are some fascinating names that have appeared in the rumor mill in the past few days. Zito could choose to add a hit or a review line and excitement, but there will be no direct replacement for the guidance of Tkachuk.

The wish list

Alex Tuch, right wing – Buffalo Sabres (Signed by 2025-26 at $ 4.75 million AAV)

If you cannot replicate Tkachuk or buy his younger brother Brady, Alex Tuch may be the next perfect fit for the Panthers. It has size, skill and the mentality of a real power forward. While he defeated the cats two seasons two seasons ago to raise the trophy, he has 66 games with playoff experience in the late season about his career. For the Panthers, cloth was able to get on the right wing right next to Sam Bennett and Mackie Samoskevich and also got power play minutes. There are two blatant obstacles for the cats. The first are the saber. How many other offers do you want to make with Zito? But the Sabres are also looking for NHL -Ready talent in their reconstruction, and the Panthers have little to offer that could be deleted from Buffalo. This is not a player who will be available for prospects at the middle level, unless Buffalo goes into full fire sales mode. If Zito cloth would bring in, the Panthers would eat another piece of salary for the next year that would make it difficult to keep one or both Bennett or Aaron Ekblad. Ultimately, cloth on two fronts is probably too expensive for the Panthers and its capacity is more of a luxury than a need for the cats.

Brandon Tanev, Wing – Seattle Kraken (Signed by 2024-25 at 3.5 million US dollars AAV)

Brandon Tannev is a familiar player from Paul Maurice after playing 195 games in Winnipeg under the Now Panthers head coach. Tanevs Wildes Foreching style could be best suited for the fourth line in most teams and play with people like Eetu Luostarinen and Anton Lundell in sunrise. TANEV is a highly motor, contactic F1 research type that has enough offensive skills to make a contribution. It is one of Seattle's top penalty murderer and would certainly be added to the rotation in Florida. Tanev is a player who can extend a line -up and give the roster a certain versatility. The price should not be too high for him than a pure rent – do not be surprised if the Panthers Tanev are attached if the rumor mill continues to heat up.

Kyle Palmieri, wing – New York Islanders (Signed by 2024-25 at $ 5 million AAV)

Palmieri is not a probable option before the violation of Tkachuk. It is a little understate, but he is fiery and scores many goals that are defined on the fold. Sounds familiar? He mainly plays the right wing, so it is a logical option to test with Bennett and Samoskevich as well as the power play. In contrast to Brock Nelson, who does not seem to be available for the General Manager of the Insulan, Lou Lamoriello, Palmieri seems to play a lot. The panthers could be an advantage, since Zito can now take over the full cap -of his contract and the islanders will compete against the cap when Mathew Barzal returns this season. Despite almost 900 games and 15 years in the NHL, Palmieri played only in a 68 career playoff. He has a 16-team no trade list, but I doubt that the Panthers are there. Also make sure that Florida is also connected to Palmieri.

Lawson Crouse, Wing – Utah Hockey Club (Signed by 2026-27 at $ 4.3 million AAV)

The former Panthers Draft Pick did not adapt well in the transition from Arizona to Utah. This year ago, Crouse's trajectory changed with seasons of 20, 24 and 23 goals and over 17 minutes of ice age. This year he only scored nine goals in 60 games and only plays 14 minutes a night. Crouse plays a spirited game and is not afraid to deal with physical games. It now fits more into the Panthers than he moved in, but there are still some concerns about how consistent he is, as he is now in his best years. At the age of 27, Crouse could stand on the younger side of Florida's core and in the middle six free strikers. Utah is a wild card for this trading period. There is no guarantee that General Manager Bill Armstrong will sell, but Crouse seems to be of the few assets with which he could possibly separate at a reasonable price.

JJ Peterka, wing – Buffalo Sabres (Signed until 2024-25 at 855,834 USD AAV)

Peterka is a relatively new addition to the rumor mill and is a player with a bucket of goal knowledge and a sound -puck -retrieval game. He has already scored 28 goals in the NHL in one season and is up to date this year to crack the 20 goal mark again. He is a freshly shaped 23-year-old, but Buffalo seems to bring almost every into play. Peterka's price sign will undoubtedly attract applicants, but the championship candidates will probably focus on more experienced and proven players. The Panthers may have the luxury of acting as a poacher when it comes to Peterka. Florida has a very strong top six and an established lower six. Peterka is most likely not fits at this point. It is most likely that if possible, Peterka will be a team building in the direction of disputes, but you cannot take anything off the table if Zito calls the recordings.

Vladimir Tarasenko, wing – Detroit Red Wings (Signed by 2025-26 at $ 4.75 million)

Familiarity is worth. We have already seen Zito won a player whom he knows very well in Jones. Would he go out and get Tarasenko a second time? Vlad was able to return directly into the role he had in the Stanley Cup Playoffs as the third wing player with Lundell and Luostarinen and also on the second Power Play unit. He didn't find his foot in Detroit, but this world-class shot has not disappeared. He is also a two -time cup winner who did everything Maurice asked about last season. The Panthers would probably not want to acquire him at his full price for the next year, but Detroit has opened all three beer places and there is always the possibility of a third team. The price for him last year with storage was two picks in the third round. There is an opportunity that has dropped slightly. Tarasenko has a complete no-trade clause. So if Yzerman wants to move him, the tank has to deregister. Expect again that Florida and Tarasenko will be linked this week.