NHL Rumors: Panthers Shopping Former First-Round Pick

While on Hockey Night in Canada, Jeff Marek reported that Florida Panthers forward Owen Tippett is available via trade.

32 Thoughts, HNIC version: Canucks/Mrazek/Mack Guzda/Manson/Ducks GM, Verbeek/Owen Tippett/No Chara at All-Star 😢 -- https://t.co/PkGH3zs4qe
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) January 30, 2022

For Tippett to be moved, it's clear that the Panthers would want to land a big-name player. At this juncture, they are aiming to win a Stanley Cup. When seeing as how they have a 31-9-5 record and have the most points in the league, it is fair to say that they may be capable of doing so. Therefore, Tippett could be a major piece going back in a big trade this deadline season.

The Panthers selected Tippett with the 10th overall pick of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. The 22-year-old hasn't blossomed into that legitimate top-six forward yet, but he certainly still has the potential to. If he were to join a team that has less depth offensively, it would allow him the chance to receive more playing time. That, in turn, could allow him to be a bigger threat offensively.

In 39 games this season, Tippett has five goals, eight assists, and a plus-3 rating. Throughout his 91-game NHL career thus far, he has 13 goals and 32 total points. At a minimum, he's a solid third-line option, but one has to wonder if he will improve from here. This and his first-round pick status do give him decent trade value.

Alas, if the Panthers make a big splash before the deadline, don't be surprised to see that Tippett is one of the main pieces heading the other way.