Welcome to the 2019 NHL Trade Deadline. Let’s look at the Florida Panthers. The Panthers are 9 points out of the playoffs. In order to make the playoffs, Florida will have to post a record of 18-4-1 down the stretch which is impossible. Florida is likely sellers.

On the Block

Derick Brassard– The Panthers acquired Brassard in the Nick Bjugstad trade. Brassard is expected to sit tonight as a precaution for trade reasons.

Going to talk to #FlaPanthers coach Bob Boughner now…expectation is team will sit Derick Brassard tonight with trade coming soon. His last game with the team was likely Thursday v Carolina.— George Richards (@GeorgeRichards) February 23, 2019

When Brassard was acquired it was expected his tenure with Florida would not last long. It was thought Brassard would be part of a package deal to get Artemi Panarin or Sergei Bobrovsky but with Columbus trading for Matt Duchene yesterday, I doubt Columbus trades Panarin and Bobrovsky. Brassard has 4 points in 10 games with the Panthers. The Panthers should be able to get a 2nd or 3rd round pick in exchange for Brassard.

Mike Hoffman-   Now Mike Hoffman is a tricky case. After the Panthers got him from San Jose who got him from Ottawa, Hoffman has been great this year putting up 26 goals. However, Hoffman has struggled 5 on 5 and has often seen 3rd line minutes. Many Panther fans are deeply divided on whether or not to trade Hoffman . Now Hoffman could net a good return. The Panthers could get an elite prospect like Eeli Tolvanen or maybe someone like Jesse Puljujarvi who needs a change of scenery (look at Dylan Strome). The Panthers could also grab a good top 4 defender like Matthias Ekholm. Not to mention the picks we could get.

Hearing that Mike Hoffman’s camp has been asked by Florida to submit its 10-team no-trade list which is part of the player’s modified NTC. It is a No list. Doesn’t mean he will be traded but obviously teams are calling so Panthers need to be ready.— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) February 21, 2019

Mark Pysyk– This year has seen a lot of turmoil on the Panthers defense. Keith Yandle and Aaron Ekblad are here to stay. Mackenzie Weegar, Ian McCoshen and Josh Brown have all made great cases to stay. That leaves one more defensman spot. That is between Mark Pysyk and Michael Matheson. Despite Matheson who has definitely been worse, I think Pysyk is moved. Matheson is still a young player and a very gifted puck mover who with the right partner can turn into a stud. Pysyk is just a depth defensive defenseman. Pysyk hasn’t even scored a goal yet. Pysyk could fetch a return of some early-mid round picks or perhaps as a package deal in a blockbuster trade.

Bogdan Kiselevich- The handling of Bogdan Kiselevich has been abhorrent and baffling. Despite being one of the best defensive defenseman on the team so far, Kiselevich has been frequently scratched and sent to Springfield. With the emergence of Ian McCoshen, Josh Brown and Mackenzie Weegar, I think Kiselevich is the odd man out. He won’t fetch much of a return unless he is included in a blockbuster deal. However, I think we should keep Kiselevich (see more info in my target section)

Some expectation the Florida Panthers will be active in trade circles. GM Dale Tallon has let teams know depth Dman Bogden Kiselevich is available.— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) January 16, 2019

Targets

Artemi Panarin and Sergei Bobrovsky- The Panthers want both of these Russian studs from Columbus and they seem to also romance the possibility of playing on the beaches of Florida. They are both pretty good friends with Panthers forward Evegeni Dadonov and Panther defenseman Bogdan Kiselevich. Don’t expect the Panthers to try to trade for these guys though. I do expect them to be targeted in free agency.

Eeli Tolvanen- A steal in the late part of the 2017 1st round, Tolvanen has fans around the league salivating as part of a deal with the Nashville Predators as a key piece in a blockbuster trade. Nashville has had their eye on Mike Hoffman and Tolvanen would be a valuable addition to a new generation of Panther prospect talent led by fellow 2017 first rounder Owen Tippett.