By Toby Rice
The title of our article might confuse you. Were the Panthers buyers at the trade deadline? Were they sellers? Well, they were both. How did that come to be, and why didn't the team focus on one direction? We asked the Panthers' brass, but first let's recap the moves made at the trade deadline.
• Vancouver Canucks send Erik Gustafsson, SEA 2031 Rnd 1, $3,000,000 to the Florida Panthers for Oliver Ekman-Larsson
• Florida Panthers send Jordan Caron (rental) to the Nashville Predators for Joakim Lindstrom, $1,000,000
• Calgary Flames send Johnny Oduya (rental) to the Florida Panthers for OTT 2028 Rnd 2, BUF 2030 Rnd 3, FLA 2030 Rnd 3, $2,000,000
When the the Panthers first made a move, we were convinced that they were sellers. They were shopping two of the top rated defensemen available at the deadline. Ultimately, only one was moved.. and a few hours later his replacement was added to the roster. So, what gives?
"We've felt all season that we're a playoff team." say the Panthers' GM. "It was so hard to justify trading players at the trade deadline when we've felt collectively that we have the talent to make a run for the cup." The Panthers' record said otherwise. At the deadline, Florida was roughly 5 points behind the 8th place spot. "Our position in the standings wasn't clear cut on whether we sell or we buy. We knew we could gain assets, and that's what we did with OEL. But, then an opportunity came along to replace him. I think looking back, we made the right call."
The Panthers have since gone on a small run, putting together win streaks and find themselves in the thick of things. Their position isn't guaranteed with 4 games left, but they control their own destiny. "We want playoffs. We want the cup."
6/20/2022 - 297 words
