Jeremy Morin: Are the Florida Panthers Interested?

Nov 20, 2014; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames defenseman Ladislav Smid (15) controls the puck as Chicago Blackhawks left wing Jeremy Morin (11) defends during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2014; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames defenseman Ladislav Smid (15) controls the puck as Chicago Blackhawks left wing Jeremy Morin (11) defends during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Could Jeremy Morin be attracting attention from the Florida Panthers

Jeremy Morin was pretty adamant when he made his demand — either play him, or trade him.

More from Chicago Blackhawks

The 23-year-old native of Auburn, New York had been a healthy scratch in nine straight games after failing to register a single point in his first fifteen appearances with the Chicago Blackhawks this fall. The former second-rounder had met with relative success the season prior, recording five goals and six assists in only twenty-four drop-ins with the NHL club — but a stacked lineup and a minor slump left Morin looking good on possession numbers, but bad on… well, the numbers that count.

Knowing that he would undoubtedly be claimed off the waiver wire should they attempt to allow Morin to clear waivers, the Blackhawks sent him to the Rockford IceHogs (Chicago’s AHL affiliate) on a conditioning assignment — and it looks like teams are already scoping him out .

Florida Panthers GM Dale Tallon was reported as being sighted at the IceHogs’ game Wednesday night in Milwaukee, allowing most of us to come to the easy conclusion that Florida could be looking to buy this season.

With rookie Aaron Ekblad looking like a candidate for the Norris Trophy and not just the Calder, this team surprised everyone out of the gate by pulling themselves to a respectable 11-8-7 on the season. They’re only two points outside of the Boston Bruins in the Atlantic Division and nineteenth overall in the league; they even sit ahead of last season’s Eastern Conference Champions, the New York Rangers. This is quite a step up from last season’s 29th overall rank.

Should they look to pick him up, they’ve got plenty of competition… and the Hawks don’t look like they plan on letting yet another rising star go just yet. Should they be able to work out a deal, though, Morin’s physical aggression — paired with Ekblad’s offensive push on the blue line — could help this team finally see the post-season again in the near future.

More from FanSided