The Florida Panthers are slowly dropping in the standings with every week passing. With a record of 31-28-3 and 65 points, they are currently eight points behind the Boston Bruins for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. Mathematically, they do have a chance to still get into the playoffs, but they are going to need a lot of help, as they have four teams ahead of them. As a result, the dream of winning three straight Stanley Cups is continuing to fade.
Because of that, the team should really focus on getting healthy and shifting their priorities to next season. There are more benefits than downsides to making the change.
The Team Is Still Struggling from Injuries
The Panthers are only recently getting guys back from injury this week. Even so, they are still missing pieces to their lineup.
Related: Panthers May Be Seeing the Final Days of Sergei Bobrovsky
Captain Aleksander Barkov, although skating, is still out and may not be ready to suit up this season. Defenseman Seth Jones has been out since the Winter Classic. Forward Jonah Gadjovich has missed time since November, but could play this week. Even if they’re ready to go for a playoff push or run, they will likely not be playing at 100%.
The Team Has a Top-10 Protected Pick in the Upcoming Draft
When the team traded a first-round pick and Spencer Knight last season to the Chicago Blackhawks for Jones, they snuck a clause in the deal. The first-rounder they shipped over is top-10 protected.
With this, not only could they still land a good prospect after not having a first-round selection the last few seasons, but they also have a chance to win the draft lottery. If the slim odds favor the Cats, they could wind up selecting an exciting prospect like Penn State forward Gavin McKenna.
Going All-In Could Injure Healthy Players for Nothing
As previously mentioned, the team is eight points out of the final spot in the Eastern Conference. They have not been officially eliminated from playoff contention, but they would need so much to go right for even a chance to get back in the dance.
Related: Suggested Trade Sees Sharks Landing Panthers’ Bobrovsky in Deadline Blockbuster
With that in mind, going hard in the next month and a half could cause further injury to those coming back or to those who are healthy. Assuming they fail to qualify, it will all be for naught.
The Team Is Already Shipping off Pieces
On March 5, the day before the trade deadline, general manager Bill Zito made the decision to trade veteran defenseman Jeff Petry to the Minnesota Wild for a conditional seventh-round pick. That pick becomes a fifth-rounder if the Wild win two rounds and Petry participates in half of those games. In addition, they made A.J. Greer a healthy scratch that same night against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
There have also been rumors swirling around the league of them cutting ties with goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky. It sounds like the team is in tank mode and is going through with the idea of a long but restful offseason.
If They Make This Choice, They Have a Ton to Be Proud Of
The Panthers have played more games than any other team in the NHL over the last three seasons, and they have a ton to be proud of in that span. They’ve won three straight Eastern Conference titles, an Atlantic Division championship, and the big fish in two Stanley Cups.
Assuming they go through with the idea, they will have nearly all of the same pieces that won said Cups going into next season. Resting now will mean a chance to win three in four years, establishing themselves as a potential dynasty.
