Artemi Panarin’s Unbelievable Trade Destinations: Which Team Will Win the Ultimate Hockey Gamble?
The salary cap would likely be the primary obstacle in a potential Panarin-Panthers deal. Florida is right up against it, and that’s with Aleksander Barkov on long-term injured reserve. They could move some money to fit Panarin’s cap hit in the regular season, with Evan Rodrigues ($3 million AAV through 2026-27) a possible candidate to get them part of the way there. But that would still leave them well over the cap if Barkov returns in the playoffs. Having their captain and Panarin in the lineup for a postseason game would be nearly impossible unless the Panthers scratch someone with a significant salary. (Under new collective bargaining agreement rules, a team’s 20-man lineup for individual games has to be under the salary cap.)
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