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Florida Panthers: Nick Bjugstad, Jared McCann on the move

By Suraj Sukumar

ANAHEIM, CA - NOVEMBER 19: Vincent Trocheck #21 of the Florida Panthers celebrates his second-period goal with the Panthers bench: Micheal Haley #18, Nick Bjugstad #27 and Jared McCann #90 during the game against the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center on November 19, 2017 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Debora Robinson/NHLI via Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - NOVEMBER 19: Vincent Trocheck #21 of the Florida Panthers celebrates his second-period goal with the Panthers bench: Micheal Haley #18, Nick Bjugstad #27 and Jared McCann #90 during the game against the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center on November 19, 2017 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Debora Robinson/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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The Florida Panthers are ready to look ahead, as they traded for expiring contracts and three draft picks in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft

The Florida Panthers are 11 points out of a playoff spot and seem unlikely to make the playoffs with the level of competition in the Eastern Conference. They have plenty of aging players and will need to look to the future as they succumb to a playoff-less season.

Nick Bjugstad and Jared McCann are the first players to be on the move. The Panthers have sent both players to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for Derick Brassard, Riley Sheahan, a second-round pick and two fourth-round picks in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.

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Is this a sign of unloading from the Panthers? They were a fringe playoff team over the last decade but have not developed as well as other franchises, especially in the East.

The most important part for both Bjugstad and McCann is that they are now on a playoff team. They have a chance to fight for a Stanley Cup, something they would not have experienced with the Panthers. While the Panthers have a good foundation with some youth, they will need to get back to the drawing board to build a complete team. Unfortunately, they have not been able to break the mold just yet.

Expect More to Come

The Panthers gave up their second round pick next year in the Mike Hoffman deal, which they’ve not regained, in a way, with the Penguins. Both Brassard and Sheahan have expiring contracts and it remains to be seen if they will sign in Florida. The good part of this deal for the Panthers is that they’ve freed up cap space and opened the door for free agent signings in the off-season to compete next year.

Something needed to change in Florida and it looks like the time has arrived for big moves. Their aging goaltending situation with Roberto Luongo and James Reimer needs to be addressed, especially because they have not played well this season. On top of that, Luongo continues to deal with injury problems which is certainly a sign of things to come.

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The good news for the Panthers is they are not a bad team. They have incredibly talented young players but definitely need a boost on the defensive end. They are able to create offensive chances but their defensive woes have been on full display. If they can address those concerns through the draft and free agency, they could return to the playoffs as soon as next season.

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