January 17, 2025 | 12:40pm ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

PANTHERS LOOKING AT DEPTH PIECES

Panthers GM Bill Zito

The Florida Panthers are in a dogfight for first place in the Atlantic Division this season and that race should maintain for the balance of the campaign.

As the club looks to defend its Stanley Cup championship, GM Bill Zito is combing through the trade market to see what affordable options may be available to him leading up to the March 7 trade deadline.

During Thursday’s edition of “The Latest” on TFP, David Pagnotta reported the Panthers are looking at depth options at both ends of the ice, but noted the club may look to prioritize adding a defenceman before the deadline hits.

“Yeah, it certainly seems like that’s what Bill Zito would like to do with his group. Looking around, seeing what kind of bargain type deals that can work and fit for his group,” Pagnotta said. “He’s done it in the past. He’s looking for special deals, cap friendly deals that fit for his group.

“We’ll see what he ends up pulling off over these next several weeks. But it certainly looks like, and the team’s going to accrue more, just like everyone else, you’re going to accrue more cap space as the season progresses. But they’re going to look to be very strategic in how they spend their dollars as they look to add some depth.”

The Panthers are projected to have around $573,000 in cap space by the deadline, according to PuckPedia, and it will take some serious cap juggling on the part of Zito and his staff to add a significant piece to their roster. But as some teams have illustrated in the past, creativity can go a long way.

Through 46 games so far this season, the Panthers have posted a 27-17-3 record and sit three points behind the Toronto Maple Leafs for top seed in the division.