3 Players Panthers Could Trade Next

It is really up in the air as to how the Florida Panthers will start the 2023-24 season after a long playoff run, injuries, and hardly making it to the postseason last season. Players returning from injuries and cap will definitely have a say in how the season goes for the Panthers, whether they decide to buy, sell, or wait to make more significant moves next offseason. However it plays out, we're going to look at a few players who are candidates to be traded next.

Sam Bennett

Sam Bennett's name has been in the rumor mill for some time, but he has a good contract that lasts two more seasons. This hasn't stopped his name from being out there, especially since Anton Lundell, their young third line centerman, is ready for a bigger responsibility and able to play on the second line. To save some money before his contract is up, I can definitely see Bennett being moved as Anthony Duclair was moved this offseason.

Josh Mahura

Trading Josh Mahura wouldn't be because of a money issue, but due to needing a player to send back to a team in the event of the Panthers adding at the deadline. When Aaron Ekblad and Brandon Montour return from injury earlier in the season, the defense is going to be very full. This will cause players to slide down and out of the lineup. The forward group is definitely an area that I can see needing to be bolstered, so Mahura is a younger defenseman the team would surely lose if he's sent down through waivers. As he has promise, the Panthers could see his name be mentioned as part of a return and be forced to take action.

Aaron Ekblad

Ekblad might be a stretch, but dare I say he could be traded with one final year left on his deal. This trade wouldn't come until next offseason, but depending on how Montour plays again this season, the Panthers could require a lot of money to pay him. They won't be able to keep Montour, Sam Reinhart, and then pay Lundell, Eetu Loustarinen, and also Carter Verhaeghe the year after. Ekblad is two years younger, but was overtaken last season by Montour on the right side and is a health concern. This is a shot in the dark, but not out of the realm of possibility.