The Florida Panthers are off to a rough start this season. Coming off a 7–3 loss to the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday. They now have a 6-6-1 record and currently sit at the bottom of the Atlantic Division.
It’s an unexpected stumble for the back-to-back Stanley Cup champions, who defeated the Edmonton Oilers in consecutive Finals but haven’t found their rhythm early this year.
Injuries have only made things worse. Captain Aleksander Barkov (knee), Matthew Tkachuk (groin), and Tomas Nosek (knee) are all on injured reserve. At the same time, defenseman Dmitry Kulikov recently joined them after undergoing surgery for an upper-body injury.
Next, the Panthers will face the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday on the road.
Could the Florida Panthers Make A Move on the Trade Market?
NHL insider Dan Rosen, in his weekly Q&A on X, addressed questions from fans, including one about whether the Florida Panthers might make any moves to strengthen their blue line and who potential trade targets could be.
Rosen explained that Dmitry Kulikov’s absence is a bigger loss than many realize. “When healthy, Kulikov plays an important role as a predictable and experienced defenseman who can go back for the puck.” Rosen said. He can retrieve the puck under pressure, take a hit, maintain possession, and move the puck quickly for clean breakouts.
His simple, physical style complements the Panthers’ other left-side defenders, Gustav Forsling and Niko Mikkola.
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“So, yes, Florida is and will continue to be hunting for a replacement who has attributes similar to Kulikov’s, provided no one else goes down with a long-term injury.” Rosen said. “But the Panthers are first going to see if they have one in Donovan Sebrango.”
Sebrango suited up for his second game with the Panthers on Tuesday after being claimed off waivers from the Ottawa Senators back in October. At 6-foot-2 and 223 pounds, Sebrango brings size, physicality, and a straightforward game similar to Kulikov’s. “He can skate, which allows him to defend well.” Rosen said.
“He can go back for a puck and with his head up find a forward with a breakout pass. He can absorb contact because of his size and dole out some punishment too. He might be the right player to fit into the hole Kulikov’s injury has created.”
If Sebrango doesn’t prove to be the right fit, Rosen expects Florida to look elsewhere for a similar type of player to stabilize the blue line.
