Panthers making Hoffman and Huberdeau available?
Chris Nichols of Nichols on Hockey: Elliotte Friedman was on Sportsnet 650 talking about the Florida Panthers looking to clear salary cap space to take a run at Artemi Panarin and Sergei Bobrovsky this offseason. Could forward Mike Hoffman and/or Jonathan Huberdeau potentially be involved somehow?
Friedman believes that Hoffman is available for any team looking for scoring. He has a year left at $5.5 million.
“The Huberdeau one is interesting. That came out I guess in the last 24 hours. I’ve had people tell me that there is no way that Florida is dealing Huberdeau, and I’ve had other people tell me that they’ve heard quietly Florida is at least looking at it. So I don’t know what to say.
“I just can’t believe they would trade Huberdeau, who’s on a great contract, unless the return was unbelievable.”
Tom Gulitti of NHL.com: The Florida Panthers will likely be sellers before the deadline.
Jonathan Huberdeau on the trade rumors involving him and Columbus Blue Jackets Panarin and Bobrovsky.
“We don’t know if it’s true,” said Huberdeau, who has 52 points (13 goals, 39 assists) in 55 games this season. “I’m just going to play here for now. We’re trying to make a push for the playoffs and I am going to do everything I can. We’ll see what happens. You can’t do anything about it, just play hockey. Just play the game.”
Pending free agents the Panthers could look at moving include Derick Brassard, Riley Sheahan, Jamie McGinn, Troy Brouwer, Micheal Haley and Bogdan Kiselevich.
