Hey CBJ fan here.
Just did some reading, somethings i wanted to point out.
You have cap space and alot of it. Cool, great.
However, for starters all the other rumored panarin destinations also have cap space to sign him even his beloved chicago and rangers.
Just because you have the cap space doesnt mean you are toing to get him. It means you enter the conversation for a bidding war with 5 or 6 other teams.
However if you trade for him you go from say lets be generous and say a 30% chance to sign him as a FA to starting at 100% chance when you trade for him because youll already have him on the team, be able to woo him every day and gel with the team and all the other great stuff
Heres the downside
Trading for him is still going to cost a pretty penny. Im talking a FRP, and 2 of your top 4 prospects. They were rumored to have conversations with boston and they asked for Debrusk, their FRP and more.
Panarin will come in a trade with a price that hurts because they are content making the playoffs and seeing what happens and letting him walk if thats how it works out. They wont make a move just to make a move, thats how GMs get fired.
Second if you wait til july first and you want to be naiive enough to say yes the CBJ will trade him no matter what just to get something back, then whats to say they wont move him to say the rangers or blackhawks to respect his wishes and thet dont let him hit FA? Then florida made all these moves for nothing because with the roster as is, is struggling to compete for the playoffs.
So yes Florida fans, you will likely have to trade for Panarin and yes, it will be for something you dont want to give up.