Panthers Rumors: Making a Push for Noah Hanifin, This Proposed Trade Gets Him There

In recent days, we've heard that the field has narrowed for Calgary Flames top defenseman Noah Hanifin to a few strong contenders. The Tampa Bay Lightning and Boston Bruins have been named, but now hockey insider Kevin Weekes tells us that another Atlantic Division contender, the Florida Panthers, are making a strong push.

👀 Although their are several other clubs in the mix, I’m told the @FlaPanthers are making a push for @NHLFlames D Hanifin. Have to wonder if/ how this impacts 2 of their core D pending UFA’s Forsling & Montour. #HockeyX #Flames #TimeToHunt pic.twitter.com/Mn2jfLD9ff
— Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) March 2, 2024

That allows us to have a look at a trade proposed this week by Julian McKenzie and Corey Pronman of The Athletic, that would land Hanifin in one of his desired destinations, Miami.

Florida Panthers Receive:

Noah Hanifin, D

Calgary Flames Receive:

Mackie Samoskevich, RW
2025 2nd-Round Pick
2026 2nd-Round Pick
Niko Mikkola, D

This would be a steep price to pay for the Panthers, surrendering their top prospect, 2021 first-rounder Mackie Samoskevich, plus a solid blueliner in Mikkola and two second-rounders. Would it be worth it to land a top-pairing-worthy D-man in Hanifin? For a team hoping to take that next step to win the Cup, it could be.

Samoskevich has put up some nice numbers in his first pro season, with 35 points in 43 games for the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL. Insiders are lauding his "speed, skating and hands," per McKenzie.

Mikkola is big and physical (6'4", 210 pounds) with 142 hits this season, and has turned into a solid NHL blueliner, playing 20 minutes a night for Florida.

According to Weekes' report, the Panthers are pushing to get Hanifin, and would love to keep him away from division rivals Tampa and Boston, so they should go the extra distance.

Photo: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports