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NHL Draft Rumors: Florida Panthers get ‘fair offer’ for No. 1 pick

By Cory Buck

Apr 12, 2014; Sunrise, FL, USA; Florida Panthers head coach Peter Horachek in the third period of a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at BB&T Center. The Blue Jackets won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 12, 2014; Sunrise, FL, USA; Florida Panthers head coach Peter Horachek in the third period of a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at BB&T Center. The Blue Jackets won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Florida Panthers GM Dave Tallon has made it no secret that he’s open to trading the first overall pick in the 2014 NHL draft. There have even been some crazy offers rumored to be tossed Tallon’s way but now,a viable offer may have been offered to Florida and they may be pondering whether or not to accept.

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According to the Star’s Damien Cox, an unspecified team has offered what is being described as a ‘fair offer’ for the No. 1 pick but the question of who made the offer is a intriguing as what the offer could be.

"“As far as the draft, Tallon said he has received one ‘fair offer’ for the first pick overall, which he has made clear is available for trade.”"

That’s as far as he’d go with that, with no indication of a possible team or package offered. What else can one expect at this stage? The Stanley Cup Finals are almost over and GMs are likely content to wait until that time to even start stacking offers. Still, it’s interesting that the top pick’s owner has found solid value for it already.

Could it be that the Toronto Maple Leafs and their crazy offer actually stuck, or has another team swooped in? The list likely isn’t that long because A) this isn’t a real top-heavy draft and B) the Panthers don’t want to move too far down in the draft.

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Now we are left to wonder where the Panthers might move back to and what player is being targeted at #1. It still makes the most sense that anyone would move up for defenseman Aaron Ekblad. He’s the most pro-ready prospect in the draft and he might be the safest pick in the draft, even if his talents don’t project to an offensively spectacular career a la Drew Doughty, who was taken second overall in the draft years ago.

Either way, someone wants that pick and Tallon has seen something he likes. Now we play the waiting game to see if the parties end up sealing the deal.

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