The 2018 -2019 Stanley Cup Finals are finally at an end. Now the real fun begins...
There's still nothing really floating around out there in terms of solid news related to trades or FA targets. Like you, I'm seeing a lot of speculation articles - things to help pass the time before the draft and FA Frenzy, really.
The Panthers did release their
2019-20 preseason schedule , however. It's a good lineup. There's a couple games against the still-stunned Lightning and a couple against the guys I loath - the Predators.
Move Matheson?
A couple days ago, Tyler Cameron, the Blackhawks writer here at HB, wrote a
fun piece where he proposed 15 hypothetical trades the Hawks could make this offseason. On his list, he had the recipient of many Panthers fans' ire, Mike Matheson. Below is the fictional trade proposition:
"FLA trades Michael Matheson for Brandon Saad – Matheson took a bit of a step back last year, but his talent is obvious. He's a big guy (6'2 / 193 lbs) that plays physical and he's a mobile guy. He's on the books for 7 more years at $4.87M so the Hawks would really need to believe in this player. They would really need to like him if they are giving up Brandon Saad for him. Coach Q will be happy with this move to be able to plug in the reliable 2-way force that is Saad. This might not look like a fair swap if it happened today, but in Matheson, the Hawks might have a top 4 defensive D who can play 22 minutes/game for the next 7 years."
I've said in the past that I'm very curious to see what happens with Matheson now that Q is behind the bench. While I agree with Tyler in regards to Matheson's frame and skating ability (which is very undeniable), I think the big hang up in this trade would be his contract: 7 years at $4.87M per
Yikes.
For years the Hawks have dealt with money/cap issues, and they currently have two aging defensemen with unmovable contracts in Seabrook and Keith.
Keith: $5.53M until 2023
Seabrook: $6.87M until 2024
Both guys have the Stan Bowman Special of a NTC, too (shudder).
Although Matheson is younger and less expensive, his potential is still unclear. Personally, I think there's a lot of upside to be unlocked and that maybe it would be a better fit for the system Jeremy Colliton runs in Chicago. Watching Q for 10 years in as the Hawks bench boss showed that he tends to lean towards defensive-minded and responsible blue liners.
Is Matheson that guy? Or, perhaps it's more appropriate to ask: Could Matheson be that guy?
I don't know...
He certainly had his hiccups last season, most notably turning the puck over, but so did many of Florida's defensemen - even Yandle, who at this stage in his career, should be the leader and stabilizing force on the backend.
But the talent was also there with Matheson. I think the lack of system in place exposed a lot of negatives with the defense last year. It was obvious a lot of these guys were trying to make something out of nothing all too often and there was no discipline in place. Hence, guys making the same mistakes again-and-again and no ice time being taken away or corrections being made.
I think a young guy like Matheson fell into the above. Some of that is obviously on him, but some of it was also on the coaching staff. He may have been a product of his environment and someone that would have benefited from discipline.
While the Panthers may have pulled the trigger a bit prematurely on Matheson's contract - which I'm assuming was based on the small, but successful, sample size the prior season - I still think there could be something there with him. When he's "on," you can see the talent in his skating, physical play, ability to lead a rush, his shot and willingness to sell out and block shots (something Q really likes). That's why I find him and his fate with Florida so interesting now that Q is in charge. He has shades of what Q looks for and shades of what drives Q nuts.
So...does Q see a guy with as someone with potential that he can mold into a legitimate defenseman, or do him and Tallon move him out for pieces that will better fit Florida's new style?
Let's face it, there's probably a lot of teams out there that would like to get Matheson for his skating ability and the "what if he pans out" factor.
Like Tyler said, if someone takes him on, they'll have to really believe in him with that contract he has.
The Piece Coming Back
Tyler's trade for Matheson involved Chicago sending Brandan Saad to Florida. Although his second stint with the Hawks wasn't as stellar as his first go-around, I'm still a big Saad guy.
He has two years left on a modified NTC with a hit of $6M.
Saad is a strong, two-way winger that plays 200 feet and can grind it out, etc. Though he struggled last season, I still think his style of play would be beneficial to the Panthers - especially if one of the other wingers is moved out as part of some other trade this offseason. Personally, I'd love to see him on a line with Hoffman and Trocheck and see how that would go.
The cool thing about Saad is that at 26, he's still young and has put together a great resume - appearing in multiple playoffs and winning a couple cups along the way.
Of course, the interesting thing about this fake trade proposal is that both Chicago and Florida need defense . In this example, Chicago is getting that (potential) help in Matheson. Maybe Florida would need something along with Saad to make it more appealing?
Go Big or Go Home
The hype surrounding the Panthers has been steadily building for a few months now. Fans, insiders, experts and everyone in between are keeping an eye on Florida to see what moves they make as the draft and Free Agent Frenzy rapidly approaches.
Realistically, it might be the most excitement to surround the organ-I-zation ever. Everything seems to be falling into place: the owners are all in, the GM has been hinting for some time that they'll make a serious splash this offseason AND they hire one of the most successful coaches in NHL history...
There's almost a feeling of the "stars aligning."
It's easy to get caught up in the hype, and to be honest, you should. It's more fun that way. Personally, I tend to pump the brakes sometimes on things like this. A lot of folks have them already going to the playoffs and/or cup. While the Panthers delivered (in a big way) with Q, what they do next in terms of adding talent to get to those points, remains to be seen. I mean, adding pieces that are needed will be great, but it all has to come together and "work," too.
I fully believe Q and Tallon have a plan in place for the present and future, and like you guys, I can't wait to see the process start to unfold. I'm even more eager since reading a recent
interview with Tallon over at NHL.com. Even though the answers are pretty generic (which is about what you can expect from a GM), it's still a good read in that it reiterates some of the things we've been hearing the past few months.
[Photo from NHL.com]
Keep those eyes peeled as the draft quickly approaches. I think some things could start movin' and shakin'...
Go Panthers!
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