The offense has run dry while the defense continues to worsen after each passing game. There are times where the blue line holds up and produces a sound game, but those efforts have been rare in sight.

What’s been their main issue now for countless seasons has been their defense core, which wasn’t fully addressed this past offseason. Instead, a stop-gap was signed in @Anton Stralman – who provides some sort of defensive presence, but not much in defensive stability given his age and injury history.

It shouldn’t have to be said but the Florida Panthers are in need of another top-four defenseman who is stable defensively, preferably left-handed and can play on the left side, but most importantly, can handle top-pairing minutes while playing alongside @Aaron Ekblad.

The Cats have looked for this type of defenseman for a couple of seasons now, but they haven’t done much to try and acquire this said player. Realistically, the farm system is too thin to even begin thinking about finding an in-house option and free agency is just too costly when players like these hit the open market. That leaves the Panthers with one option remaining: the trade market.

Florida has assets that they can part with to acquire this needed player. Whether or not they are willing to give up these assets is another story. But if they are serious about improving what’s unquestionably been their most glaring issue, while filling an area of need during the season, then Dale Tallon is going to have to be willing to roll the dice and take a chance.