The Florida Panthers stunned the hockey world when they acquired former Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk, reuniting him with his brother Matthew just months after the pair helped Team USA capture Olympic gold.
But according to NHL insider Chris Johnston, general manager Bill Zito may not be finished making blockbuster moves. In fact, Florida is reportedly among the teams to watch for another prominent American star.
Insider Links Panthers to Connor Hellebuyck
While the Panthers’ forward group now looks as dangerous as any in the NHL, a major question remains in goal. Both Sergei Bobrovsky and Daniil Tarasov are headed toward unrestricted free agency, leaving Florida with uncertainty in net.
That has fueled speculation connecting the Panthers to Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck.
On Monday, after the Brady Tkachuk trade, Johnston revealed that Florida remains firmly in the conversation. “One of the teams that that have been rumored around Hellebuyck is the Panthers. Now, I don’t know if that’s going to happen. Now, I wouldn’t rule it out still. They need a goalie as I mentioned,” Johnston said.
“Obviously, they would need to clear cap room… Florida traded a lot of first round picks, but they didn’t trade anyone off the roster in the deal to get Brady Tkachuk. And so I would not rule the Panthers out on Hellebuyck at this stage,” he added.
Johnston also noted that Winnipeg has not fully committed to moving Hellebuyck, leaving the situation very much in flux.
Because Florida managed to keep its core roster intact in the Tkachuk deal, the Panthers still have pieces they could use to construct a package for the star goaltender. One name that stands out is Anton Lundell.
Lundell ($5 million cap hit) could headline a package, potentially alongside another roster player. Lundell gives Winnipeg a young, high-end center to build around while helping Florida create the cap space needed for Hellebuyck’s $8.5 million salary.
Another factor that could work in Florida’s favor is Hellebuyck’s desire to compete for championships. After Winnipeg’s disappointing season ended without a playoff appearance, the veteran goaltender may be more open than ever to joining a proven contender.
The Panthers can also offer something few other teams can: a roster loaded with familiar faces from Team USA. With Brady and Matthew Tkachuk already in Sunrise, Florida presents an appealing opportunity for another American star looking to chase championships.
The bottom line is simple. If Bill Zito can put together a package that satisfies Winnipeg while creating the necessary cap space, the Panthers could emerge with their long-term answer in goal and add yet another elite Team USA player to an already loaded roster.
