Dallas Stars
Dallas, like Florida, is in a very competitive division and needs to keep up with the likes of Nashville, Winnipeg, and St. Louis if they hope to make the playoffs. Dallas GM Jim Nill is known to make big moves in the offseason but has yet to do so this summer. Could trading for Panarin be the deal that Nill makes to help the Stars return to the playoffs?
Nill and the Stars are also working on signing Tyler Seguin to a long term deal which may be difficult for him to do. Seguin has a Cup under his belt but hasn’t had any playoff success in Dallas. Why haven’t the sides come to an agreement yet? Could the 26-year-old want a fresh start somewhere else?
Seguin for Panarin would be a great deal for both teams if the sides could come to an agreement contract wise with both players. Panarin would likely be happy in Dallas and Seguin would be the legitimate #1 center the Jackets so desperately need. The Stars would still have Jamie Benn to hold down their top line and be able to flank him with two incredible Russian wingers in Panarin and Alexander Radulov.
The Stars also have a solid amount of draft picks and an serviceable prospect pool to entice the Jackets with. The Jackets would feel better about moving Panarin out of the conference too.
The Stars are the darkest of the three dark horses listed, but Nill and Jarmo are GM’s known to make big moves so you never know. If the Jackets could swing a deal and end up with Segin, they should absolutely do it. Even if it means giving up another piece with Panarin.
Toronto and San Jose are still the favorites to land Panarin but these dark horses could make a run. Jarmo is aggressive and won’t allow a Tavares 2.0 situation to play out in Columbus, so expect a trade before the deadline.