2 Upgrades Florida Panthers Need In The New Year

The Florida Panthers are doing just fine this season. They are challenging for the division lead and overcame a big obstacle at the start of the season when their top two defensemen were injured. This team is going to need some upgrades in a couple of areas if they plan on getting back to where they left off last season in the Stanley Cup Final.

3rd Line Winger

Some of the forwards on the Panthers have not been very impressive this season, but others have carried the load. The third line in particular is not what many expected it to be with Anton Lundell and Eetu Loustarinen on it. They have combined for just nine goals and 22 points so far this season, and Nick Cousins is their other linemate. He has helped out far less than that. The top-six can stay as is as Matthew Tkachuk will figure it out, but some fresh life needs to be inserted into the third line, kicking Cousins off and onto the fourth line. This would have been a great spot to have Anthony Duclair. Maybe a deadline reunion is in order. The Panthers need scoring from that line.

Fourth Liner

Even less impressive is the revolving door on the fourth line. This line hasn't done much this season and multiple players have been in and out of the lineup. The team is expecting a little more production from these five+ players, but aren't getting anything. They may very well look for someone who can play physically in that role, but also do some damage on the scoresheet. There are some players like that out there and who will be available later this season.