As it currently stands, the Florida Panthers would be the first to step up at the podium in Philadelphia after commissioner Gary Bettman officially opens the 2014 NHL draft on June 27, but that could be changing.
There have been reports by Damien Cox of the Toronto Star that general manager Dale Tallon has received a "fair offer" for the top draft choice, but that doesn't necessarily mean the pick will be dealt.
The Panthers were not the worst team in the NHL last year—they are only two years removed from a Stanley Cup playoff appearance—but they won the NHL draft lottery. The southern Florida franchise could opt to draft budding blueliner Aaron Ekblad of the Barrie Colts, or one of Sam Reinhart, Sam Bennett and Leon Draisaitl, a trio of forwards that graced the cover of The Hockey News' 2014 draft preview issue.
These are all realistic scenarios, but the Panthers ultimately should be shopping the No. 1 pick in the draft because the return would help the franchise more than either of the top four prospects would.
Dealing the No. 1 pick would give t ...
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Article written by Tom Urtz Jr.