Team: 2019-20 Florida Panthers

Initial Creation Date: Apr. 10, 2019

Published: Apr. 10, 2019

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

I think that the Panthers are in a really good situation to make some big-time moves this summer. They have the pieces, coach and front office to compete but just need to add. My main focus was to create a playoff team without putting them right against the cap wall so that they have room to move things around, resign players next year and continue to add in the future.

*Florida has no state tax which allows them to sign guys for a much smaller cap hit.

*Karlsson/Panarin deals are comparable to Hedman/Stamkos contracts for florida tax reference.

*In this scenario Luongo retires this season.

Trades
- Pick up Quick instead of signing Bobrovsky. Bob is amazing, but Quick has similar numbers, is proven in the playoffs and is on a much more team friendly deal. I also think that whoever signs Bob is going to have to overpay and sign him long past his prime. Saving around 5 million a year leaves room to solidify the forward group. Adding Matheson allows you to keep the additional picks that would have otherwise been needed to get Quick, while also freeing up a ton of cap space. As good as Matheson is, Karlsson takes a ton of his minutes and it's just not financially smart to pay a third pairing D that much.

- Hoffman has to be moved to even consider signing Karlsson. Use him as sweetener to make a team pickup Reimers contract. I can see Edmonton doing this because they need scoring and goalie depth badly.

Signings

Panarin: I think this one as good as done just depends on numbers.

Karlsson: If San Jose loses in the first round (which i think they will) I'd expect him to leave. While any team would love to add him, not a ton of competitive teams that he would consider signing with are in a position to make the move. If they can show him they will be competitive and pay him what he wants I think they have a chance.

Brandon Tanev: Winnepeg is up against the cap with a ton of guys to sign so Tanev will likely be one of the guys to go. He produces at a great pace and would fit right. Once again, no state tax allows you to pay him about 1.5 mill less than another market.

Pat Maroon: Gives you sandpaper and decent point production in a third or fourth line role. I heard him in an interview over the summer saying that he was disappointed he didn't get a long term contract this year so I think he would be willing to take sign at a team friendly price with a decent term (I gave him 5 years) to play out the rest of his career on a competitive team in a place like Florida

Brassard: Obviously hasn't had a great year but still has potential if he's with the right guys. Doesn't need to be him but I wanted to add a center that's cheap with a solid upside

Gunnerson: Similar to Brassard in that he doesn't have to be the exact guy but I think they should look to add a solid defensive defenseman to slot in beside Yandle and just be reliable at a cheap price.

Stolarz: Just like the other two, just a low risk steady backup on a min contract.

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