Speculation: is Ekblad available?

[ToDavid]

Sure. We'd take Matthews.

I’m probably higher on Ekblad than most people, but not that high.

 

[violaswallet]

Not that we’ll ever know anything for certain, but do you really expect a GM to admit that? How much do you think fans, and the players themselves, want to hear that a team is shedding players for the owners bottom line?

If they’re shedding salary, they’ll never say that, they’ll just say they’re building for the future, while at the same time they just happen to shed a bunch of money.

There are no signals: Zito hasn't heard it, our press hasn't heard, our owners killed it during the COVID-19 crisis?

Like it's kind of a fantasy that a lot of hockey fans up north seemed to grab. Then they do the logical hoops we would give up our high value assets to cut cap instead of just replacing Hoff and Dady internally...

 

[Rob Brown]

Sure. We'd take Matthews.

And I think you know that would never happen.

 

[Merrrlin]

He's a mid-tier #1 RHD, signed for five years on a reasonable contract, young and developing in the right direction, and seemingly happy here. He is also by far the best defenseman on our team without any clear #1 defense prospects.

What would be a reasonable trade that makes us better given this? I only see trading for an elite player.

It would depend a lot on if Florida plans to retool for a few years, or if winning now is the top priority. I think Toronto could offer a competitive futures package but a win now trade would be a struggle. Many teams could beat our offer.

 

[ToDavid]

There are no signals: Zito hasn't heard it, our press hasn't heard, our owners killed it during the COVID-19 crisis?

Like it's kind of a fantasy that a lot of hockey fans up north seemed to grab. Then they do the logical hoops we would give up our high value assets to cut cap instead of just replacing Hoff and Dady internally...

I don’t necessarily disagree with you. I’m just saying anything that comes from the team directly is not worth much.

 

[violaswallet]

I’m probably higher on Ekblad than most people, but not that high.

Most people are. It's just what we would take for our asset

Young talent like Ekblad who is happy and team controlled are only really traded in hockey trades (usually 1:1) that makes the trading team presumably better. Given Florida's dearth of D..

 

[violaswallet]

It would depend a lot on if Florida plans to retool for a few years, or if winning now is the top priority. I think Toronto could offer a competitive futures package but a win now trade would be a struggle. Many teams could beat our offer.

Trading Ekblad would be re-building, not re-tooling. We have no depth at D nor top prospects. Ekblad is also someone we re-tool around, given that Barky and Huby's contract end sooner.

To be honest, Huby is the guy that we would trade.. and I think the Islanders might be the best match if you'd offer up Beauvillier and one of your good young D's

 

[Vinman88]

Dear Canadian fans,

Zito did say he will listen to any offers; no that does not mean we need to trade him absolutely now or that we want to trade him. That even means that we won't trade him for your package of five players and prospects that include a 2nd-3rd line tweener (that scored 20 goals once), your 3rd best prospect, a cap dump and a pick (with protection against a lottery selection!).

This does not that we are broke. If you read the initial source that lets you salivate over our elite talent in blue or (rouge et blanc):

' If there was one thing that surprised Florida GM Bill Zito in our conversation, it was that I’d heard Panthers’ ownership wished to cut payroll.
“No one said that me,” he said after a pause. “That’s news to me.”'

In fact our owners' financial firm had 70% return this years and we are one of the 14 teams that have not cut staff salaries yet. So what does this mean? We aren't trading our number defenseman to clear 1M in salary (and taking on 3 M in additional cap).

How disappointing it must be? One of the best young defensemen won't be coming to your team for scraps; how dare these non-traditional markets! It is our game (As we see teams from Florida and Texas fight for the cup)

Sincerely,
Florida Fans (and all Sunbelt franchises)

P.S.-In all seriousness, good hockey trades for other top talent are possible and that's what young, team-controlled, undisgruntled defensemen go for. Weber for Subban; Jones for Johansen.

Good stuff! Like a great Canadian band says, "You don't get something for nothing" 27 years and counting

 

[TheImpatientPanther]

It would depend a lot on if Florida plans to retool for a few years, or if winning now is the top priority. I think Toronto could offer a competitive futures package but a win now trade would be a struggle. Many teams could beat our offer.

TOR would be the last team I'd hope our new GM trades him to.
You dont trade prime aged RD with 5 years left. Unless it's for a Matthews type player aka an overpay

 

[violaswallet]

I don’t necessarily disagree with you. I’m just saying anything that comes from the team directly is not worth much.

Sure. But given the whole package of news, you see why Florida fans are annoyed that non-market fans are basing their views around reports from six months ago that have not been validated by other news sources since?

 

[Merrrlin]

Trading Ekblad would be re-building, not re-tooling. We have no depth at D nor top prospects. Ekblad is also someone we re-tool around, given that Barky and Huby's contract end sooner.

To be honest, Huby is the guy that we would trade.. and I think the Islanders might be the best match if you'd offer up Beauvillier and one of your good young D's

Pulock+ for Huby?

 

[violaswallet]

Pulock+ for Huby?

I could somehting like that: the dream would Pulock+Beauvillier for Huby to be honest given Huby's sweet contract...

 

[Laus723]

Not that we’ll ever know anything for certain, but do you really expect a GM to admit that? How much do you think fans, and the players themselves, want to hear that a team is shedding players for the owners bottom line?

If they’re shedding salary, they’ll never say that, they’ll just say they’re building for the future, while at the same time they just happen to shed a bunch of money.

Considering the owner said he was going to do everything possible to still get Luongo a ring (though now not as a player) as his jersey retirement, the comment has never been substantiated, AND they’re still paying employees (unlike some major clubs) their full salaries...all signs point to cost cutting as a bunch of BS.

 

[Merrrlin]

I could somehting like that: the dream would Pulock+Beauvillier for Huby to be honest given Huby's sweet contract...

Ya I guess we'd have to see what Pulock wants, he's an RFA.

 

[violaswallet]

Ya I guess we'd have to see what Pulock wants, he's an RFA.

Makes complete sense and I could see if it is too much value.

Florida is a weird team: we have 3 of the best youngish players in their positions signed to great contracts, but our depth had died either by not developing/stagnanting (Troch. Bjug), being Talloned (Marcheseault and Smith) or becoming UFAs (Hoff/Dady)...

 

[Qward]

From Ottawa,

Would 5th overall + Batherson + 28th overall cover it?
You can draft Drysdale with the 5th

 

[Sam Pollock]

Hanifin + first!

I would think that Florida would want Valimaki and Mangiapane added to that.

 

[Merrrlin]

Makes complete sense and I could see if it is too much value.

Florida is a weird team: we have 3 of the best youngish players in their positions signed to great contracts, but our depth had died either by not developing/stagnanting (Troch. Bjug), being Talloned (Marcheseault and Smith) or becoming UFAs (Hoff/Dady)...

I won't lie, Florida has been a dissapointment in many ways. I also thought Heponiemi was a surefire stud. I also thought Borgstrom was going to be a great #2C.

However, if the Isles have proven anything, it's that a team can do a 180. The Atlantic is wide open outside of Tampa.

 

[violaswallet]

From Ottawa,

Would 5th overall + Batherson + 28th overall cover it?
You can draft Drysdale with the 5th

Read the thread If Ekblad was not team contorlled or did not want to stay, I think Drysdale is a great option. But that's not the case

 

[TheImpatientPanther]

From Ottawa,

Would 5th overall + Batherson + 28th overall cover it?
You can draft Drysdale with the 5th

Meh.
Prefer more proven assets coming back. Think one of your top C prospects + something good

 

[violaswallet]

I won't lie, Florida has been a dissapointment in many ways. I also thought Heponiemi was a surefire stud. I also thought Borgstrom was going to be a great #2C.

However, if the Isles have proven anything, it's that a team can do a 180. The Atlantic is wide open outside of Tampa.

Oh, I agree: In 2016, we looked like the future, but it hasn't worked. And you're right about the Isles.

Just to opin, I think a top-end offensive talent like Huby could be perfect for the Isles/in particular Barzal. I'm super bullish about the Isles's future (would that it was easier to watch games from Manhattan), but I think they need that top-end offensive talent a bit more developed than Barzal is right now

 

[violaswallet]

Meh.
Prefer more proven assets coming back. Think one of your top C prospects + something good

To be honest, I don't see anyone other than BT making it work...

 

[Qward]

Meh.
Prefer more proven assets coming back. Think one of your top C prospects + something good

Our top C prospects are Logan Brown and Josh Norris. I would rate Batherson above both which is why I put him up.

I think it would be incredible to have Chabot/Ekblad top pairing, I would understand why Florida would want to keep him above all else.

 

[Sam Pollock]

Sure. We'd take Matthews.

But do you really want to fall into the same mistake of having 2 first line centers that are being paid as such like Toronto is currently going through?

 

[DudeWhereIsMakar]

If he were I'd want the Jets to be all over him. Plus knows Scheifele.

If not Winnipeg, I think he'd be a great fit on the Canucks.