NHL Rumors: Florida Panthers Forward Becomes Trade Bait

According to Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff, the hockey insider could see the Florida Panthers trying to move forward Patric Hornqvist.

The veteran winger is signed through next season, making $5.3 million on the cap. The Panthers don't have a ton of financial flexibility and or high draft picks in their cupboards so perhaps they would like to move Hornqvist to recoup a little bit of both.

So far in 2021/22 the 35-year-old has recorded 15 points in 33 games and is certainly overpaid at this point. The Panthers will likely have to include a prospect of some sort if they want to get anyone to take Hornqvist off their hands.

Seravalli went on to mention this move could certainly come down to money in the Sunshine state:

His minutes have been significantly reduced, down three minutes per game from last season, often whittled down to a fourth line even-strength role with power-play time. If there’s one thing we’ve learned about Zito, it’s that he finds a way to move out salary (Brett Connolly, Anton Stralman) to make room – and the ‘Cats are going to need it with their dead cap buyout money doubling next season.

Because of his impact on the game and his Stanley Cup playoff experience, I don't see the Panthers moving Hornqvist to anywhere in the Eastern conference. He's recorded 51 points in 96 career postseason games and his 97th game could be coming wearing a different jersey.