Rumor: Teams wary of what Florida will do

[Sideline]

He makes no sense. Not at his cap hit, even retained, especially with the term. No thanks.

Are the Panthers not looking for an offensive defenseman? Because if they want a stay at home right shot guy then sure EK makes no sense. But if they want an offensive guy there's really no one better and 2.5 years at 5MM is not a bad cap hit at all.

 

[Sticksandsun]

. Why would they be afraid to make trades

 

[Laus723]

Are the Panthers not looking for an offensive defenseman? Because if they want a stay at home right shot guy then sure EK makes no sense. But if they want an offensive guy there's really no one better and 2.5 years at 5MM is not a bad cap hit at all.

Cap room is an issue, and I don't know what Zito wants, but I don't seeing Karlsson (we have Ek) as being the guy. I haven't watched Karlsson closely in a while, but I don't see him being a fit. Players here need to back check heavily and play at least a decent two way game. There's no real one dimensional players on the team.

 

[Jared Dunn]

If they're not married to right shooting I feel like they end up with Provorov. Assuming Philly would retain half I actually don't think Ristolainen would be a bad fit either

Would Panthers consider moving Knight in a deal to open up cap flexibility or is the organization back to seeing him as heir apparent?

 

[boltsfan86]

Has been weirdly quiet on the Florida front in general (meaning both teams). Both have solid rosters but dubious about either's ability to go all that deep without some depth adds (TB more so than FLA). Don't know who either will end up going for but hard to count them out

 

[FinlandPanther]

If they're not married to right shooting I feel like they end up with Provorov. Assuming Philly would retain half I actually don't think Ristolainen would be a bad fit either

Would Panthers consider moving Knight in a deal to open up cap flexibility or is the organization back to seeing him as heir apparent?

I believe they see him as the apparent. He’s becoming more consistent as the year goes on. They need a guy to take the reigns after Bob.

 

[Sticksandsun]

Rasmus Risto @ 50% for a fart in a jar + 2028 4th

 

[Jared Dunn]

I believe they see him as the apparent. He’s becoming more consistent as the year goes on. They need a guy to take the reigns after Bob.

Yeah I just wonder if they think they could find someone to be that guy who is cheaper while they still only need him to be the #2. There's not really anywhere they could trim fat for this season outside of the goaltending position

Rasmus Risto @ 50% for a fart in a jar + 2028 4th

Makes me sick to say this but if Philly will retain 50% I think half the league would be in on him

 

[LemonSauceD]

Noah Juulsen, well even give you a $100 Costco gift card.

 

[Sideline]

Cap room is an issue, and I don't know what Zito wants, but I don't seeing Karlsson (we have Ek) as being the guy. I haven't watched Karlsson closely in a while, but I don't see him being a fit. Players here need to back check heavily and play at least a decent two way game. There's no real one dimensional players on the team.

I don't know if Florida has anyone you would categorize as a cap dump, but Dubas has shown he's not against taking bank junk to facilitate getting futures e.g., Hayes, Desharnais, Heinen, and Glass.

The back checking point is interesting. Karlsson is not lazy. His awareness can be lacking, and he will take risks that make you pull your hair out, but never have I shouted at the TV about him failing to backcheck.

Either way if it's not a fit it's not a fit. I just think people are benchmarking him as a bad deal at 10MM (true) and assuming Pittsburgh won't take back their trash to balance caps (not true). EK65 will go with some amount of retention and Dubas will take back bad money on top of that to make a deal work.

 

[PlayMakers]

I'm expecting Ristolainen to go to Florida. Get that Radko Gudas element back.

 

[Sticksandsun]

Florida could ship Rodrigues and Balinskis which is nearly $4 million in space?

 

[FinlandPanther]

I'm expecting Ristolainen to go to Florida. Get that Radko Gudas element back.

Doesn’t Risto bleed chances against though?

Florida could ship Rodrigues and Balinskis which is nearly $4 million in space?

No way. I’m not shipping out our Final’s MVP

 

[Habs Halifax]

Karlsson would have to be 50 percent retained and the cost would have to be minimal. Just doesn’t seem like a fit.

From the outside looking in, why is this not a good fit? Seems like the Panthers can use a #1PP guy. Signed until age 37 and I guess that's the part you are afraid of.

Doesn't seem like any good options and so many other teams are looking for that top 4RD too.

 

[PlayMakers]

Doesn’t Risto bleed chances against though?

I'm not an expert on his game (other than I know I don't like seeing my team play against him), but I heard he was playing much better this year with more structure in Philly under Tortorella.

 

[JKG33]

Karlsson makes way too much sense. RHD that can help run their top PP unit.

Ah yes, cause trading for Karlsson worked out so well for a teams cup aspirations the previous two times

 

[FinlandPanther]

From the outside looking in, why is this not a good fit? Seems like the Panthers can use a #1PP guy. Signed until age 37 and I guess that's the part you are afraid of.

Doesn't seem like any good options and so many other teams are looking for that top 4RD too.

Because we need a guy that plays our style and is gritty in the corners. As good as Karlsson is, he’s not that guy. I mean he might be fine next to Mikkola but Karlsson would have to buy in.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Because we need a guy that plays our style and is gritty in the corners. As good as Karlsson is, he’s not that guy. I mean he might be fine next to Mikkola but Karlsson would have to buy in.

That's fair. Panthers do prefer to play the physical side and it is effective.

Who else do you have on your mind? I'm curious

 

[FlyguyOX]

And Tippet + a 1st for Giroux

That was a good trade for them. Tippett was not looking like an NHL player and the 1st was 2 years out

Rasmus Risto @ 50% for a fart in a jar + 2028 4th

He's been one of our best D-man. He was good last year, too.

If Ceci has positive value of a 3rd, then Risto is worth a 1st at his cap hit and because he has term.

 

[FinlandPanther]

That's fair. Panthers do prefer to play the physical side and it is effective.

Who else do you have on your mind? I'm curious

That’s the thing. We’re looking for a mobile guy who is at least decent defensively. As are 31 other teams lol

 

[Habs Halifax]

That’s the thing. We’re looking for a mobile guy who is at least decent defensively. As are 31 other teams lol

Too bad you couldn't keep Montour. I like that guy's overall game

 

[Hale The Villain]

Ah yes, cause trading for Karlsson worked out so well for a teams cup aspirations the previous two times

SJ was not a good fit, already having Burns. If the Panthers had a good top PP QB and a stacked right side, you'd have a point, but they don't.

Also you think Pittsburgh acquired Karlsson thinking they were going to win a cup? They had just missed the playoffs and were just trying to get Crosby/Malkin/Letang back to the post-season.

 

[frightenedinmatenum2]

Terminate and trade, Pittsburgh and Florida. Karlsson agrees to terminate his contract. He signs a Tanev special in Florida where they circumvent the U35 contract rules because he is a hair below qualifying for them. After Karlsson signs in Florida, Florida trades Pittsburgh a roster player with cap+term and picks+prospects for another roster play with less cap and a few random C prospects.

Karlsson is owed about 21.5M over 2.5 seasons. Add in the Florida tax discount, and if he signs for about 4.5M x 5 years with the lowest possible salary prorated in 2024-2025, it is unlikely he will leave any career earnings on the table. Especially since he will be 37 at the end of his current Pittsburgh contract and possibly looking at retirement. In 2-3 years, he goes on LTIR, which with his injury history shouldn't be a problem.

To me, this seems no different in theory then a sign-and-trade - but of course it might not be allowed.

 

[JKG33]

SJ was not a good fit, already having Burns. If the Panthers had a good top PP QB and a stacked right side, you'd have a point, but they don't.

Also you think Pittsburgh acquired Karlsson thinking they were going to win a cup? They had just missed the playoffs and were just trying to get Crosby/Malkin/Letang back to the post-season.

Both teams acquired Karlsson and immediately got worse. It's not a coincidence.

I'm not going to speculate what goes on in Dubas' head, I'd probably have to suffer a brain injury to get that level of dumb.

You don't bring in a $10m d-man (who cant actually play defence) to be your #3, especially not if you want to win a cup. I'd also stay away from him even at 50% retained, but i understand others who may say he has some value there. But regardless of one's thoughts on Karlsson, Florida doesn't have expendable assets to make it worthwhile for Pittsburgh to keep $5m in dead money for multiple years so that's irrelevant.

Terminate and trade, Pittsburgh and Florida. Karlsson agrees to terminate his contract. He signs a Tanev special in Florida where they circumvent the U35 contract rules because he is a hair below qualifying for them. After Karlsson signs in Florida, Florida trades Pittsburgh a roster player with cap+term and picks+prospects for another roster play with less cap and a few random C prospects.

Karlsson is owed about 21.5M over 2.5 seasons. Add in the Florida tax discount, and if he signs for about 4.5M x 5 years with the lowest possible salary prorated in 2024-2025, it is unlikely he will leave any career earnings on the table. Especially since he will be 37 at the end of his current Pittsburgh contract and possibly looking at retirement. In 2-3 years, he goes on LTIR, which with his injury history shouldn't be a problem.

To me, this seems no different in theory then a sign-and-trade - but of course it might not be allowed.

I still wouldn't sign Karlsson to that but it's not a bad idea. I don't know that a team would even need to "give" Pittsburgh anything. Just being rid of Karlsson and his contract with no retention should be enough of an incentive

 

[Fixed to Ruin]

Florida traded a first for Chiarot. Even well run teams make bad trades.

Right handed defenseman right now looking for low taxes and sunny weather...