The Florida Panthers, reigning back-to-back Stanley Cup champions, enter the new season with a major lineup concern.
Star forward Matthew Tkachuk underwent offseason surgery and is expected to miss the first few months.
With that in mind, floated a trade scenario involving Ondrej Palat of the New Jersey Devils.
Proposed trade:
Panthers receive:
• Ondrej Palat (with $2 million retained)
• 2026 third-round pick
Devils receive:
• Evan Rodrigues
For Florida, the appeal is twofold: Palat, at a reduced $4 million cap hit, could fill in for Tkachuk early on before settling into a third-line scoring role, while the third-round pick adds flexibility as a future trade chip.
Palat, who is entering year four of a five-year, $30 million contract, has valuable playoff pedigree from Tampa Bay’s 2020 and 2021 Cup runs.
Last season, he tallied 15 goals and 13 assists in 77 games, and he’s generally good for 15–20 goals.
On the Devils’ side, Rodrigues would bolster their middle six.
He’s entering the third year of a four-year, $12 million deal and has been linked to trade rumors already.
In 82 games last season, he posted 15 goals and 17 assists.
Ondrej Palat
Tkachuk to Miss Season Start
Tkachuk confirmed in August that surgery would sideline him for at least two, possibly three months.
The 26-year-old battled through injuries during the playoffs, including a torn adductor muscle and a sports hernia, but credited the Panthers’ medical staff for keeping him in game shape.
“I wouldn’t be here without the trainers and doctors… This Cup is because of them for me, and I’m so lucky,” Tkachuk said after the Panthers’ championship run.
Rodrigues’ Trade Value
Following Florida’s second straight Cup win, speculation around Rodrigues’ future grew. NHL insider David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period suggested he could be moved as a cap casualty, noting teams like Toronto, Chicago, Detroit, and Minnesota as potential suitors.
Rodrigues has spent the past two seasons with Florida but could now serve as the key piece in a Devils trade.
