5 Players the Florida Panthers Can Trade for With 9th-Overall Pick – The Hockey Writers – Florida Panthers

There are five potential superstars or star players who could be moved to the Florida Panthers in exchange for the team’s ninth-overall pick ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft this month. We’ve seen the Panthers be aggressive before, making bold moves and utilizing draft picks to acquire immediate help. Being aggressive again this summer would enable them to reset after a down year and return to the perennial playoff powerhouse we know them to be.

Connor Hellebuyck

The Panthers’ number one target should be Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. There have been rumours about a potential trade, and no destination makes more sense for the American goaltender, who wants to jump into a win-now environment. This potential trade could also include Winnipeg receiving Center Anton Lundell or another player off the roster like Mackie Samoskevich, additional prospects and perhaps more future high-end draft capital. Of course, Hellebuyck only makes sense if Sergei Bobrovsky moves on this summer, and the Panthers have a hole to fill.

There is already some familiarity with the organization, including former Team USA teammate Matthew Tkachuk, former head coach in Winnipeg, Paul Maurice, and general manager Bill Zito, who was part of the Team USA management staff. With increasing reports that the Panthers will not bring Bobrovsky, a two-time Stanley Cup champion, back, Hellebuyck seems like the most likely fit to reset the dynasty and bolster the next phase of Panthers hockey.

Jason Robertson

The Panthers could also use the ninth-overall pick in a package to land Dallas Stars right winger Jason Robertson. In addition, Dallas could ask for center Anton Lundell or another player off the roster, like Eetu Luostarinen, additional prospects and perhaps future high-end draft capital to make the deal work.

Robertson is a pending restricted free agent, and the two sides appear to be far apart on his next contract. With reports swirling about a dispute, Mikko Rantanen’s recent extension might mean the Stars have less flexibility to pay Robertson his asking price. That opens a window of opportunity for the Panthers.

The Stars also fell short of expectations this season after a Round 1 exit, which could elicit a major shakeup. Robertson is known for his ability to perform in the playoffs, which is critical to the Panthers’ success. He, like Hellebuyck, has a built-in Team USA connection to both Zito, with whom he has some easy familiarity, and Tkachuk, a potential future teammate.

The Panthers like to use their size and physicality, and although that might not be Robertson’s calling card, he is 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds. If the team can work out the financial details of acquiring him, he would be a tremendous fit in the team’s top six and on the power play.

Brady Tkachuk

The best potential fit would be left winger Brady Tkachuk, captain of the Ottawa Senators. He has two years left on his contract, at a very reasonable cap hit, and the biggest selling point is the connection and built-in chemistry he would have with his brother Matthew. We’ve already seen one Tkachuk leave the Canadian market for the US; who’s to say history won’t repeat itself?

After a failed playoff run, the Senators might be looking for a change in direction, while Tkachuk embodies that physicality and tenacity that forms the Panthers’ identity. Zito knows him as well after their time at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina.

This trade checks a lot of boxes for the organization and could also include Lundell or another player off the roster, like Evan Rodrigues, additional prospects and perhaps more future high-end draft capital to pique the Senators’ interest. It’s just about proposing the right deal.

Adam Fox

Probably the least likely and least obvious fit is New York Rangers defenseman Adam Fox. After some brief rumblings that Fox is unhappy in New York and the Rangers seemingly heading toward a rebuild, moving their most prized asset could make sense. This move would give the Panthers a high-end puck-moving defenseman who can anchor the power play long term.

He has two years remaining, with an average annual value of $9.5 million. Again, the deal could also include Lundell or another player off the roster, like Donovan Sebrango, additional prospects and perhaps future high-end draft capital to confirm the Rangers’ interest.

The Panthers boast a talented forward core of goal scorers, and Fox would add a facilitator and playmaker. He was also not part of the 2026 Olympic team, which Chris Drury and Mike Sullivan, his current general manager and head coach in New York, had a hand in selecting. He was part of the 4 Nations team where his teammate was Matthew Tkachuk. It would make sense for the Panthers to utilize their pick to acquire an established defenseman.

Dylan Larkin

After reports surfaced on Friday that Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin has requested a trade, he became another potential target for the Panthers. If the Red Wings can find the right deal (Larkin has full no-trade protection), it could signify the start of a rebuild, and a top 10 pick would help kickstart a rebuild or retool.

In addition to receiving the ninth overall pick, the Red Wings might be interested in landing Lundell, another young player, like Mackie Samoskevich, additional prospects and future high-end draft capital to get a deal done. Larkin also knows Zito and Tkachuk as a member of Team USA.

Larkin’s offensive prowess, goalscoring ability and leadership would be a great fit in helping the Panthers to another lengthy playoff run. He is a consistent 30-goal scorer and has played only five playoff games to date. There is no better place to get a taste of the postseason than in South Florida.

Any one of these five players could help define the next era of Panthers hockey by adding to their aggressive game and their offensive attack. They would bolster the roster with a ready-made star player without having to develop one through the draft.