Why the Panthers’ blue-line crisis could force a high-stakes trade

As the Olympic break continues in Milano Cortina, Florida remains outside the playoff picture, and the defensive numbers are impossible to ignore.

The Panthers are currently among the worst teams in the league when it comes to goals allowed, sitting eighth overall in goals against.

That drop has less to do with identity and more to do with availability, as injuries have ravaged the blue line for weeks.

Seth Jones, who had been excellent since arriving in Florida, is now sidelined, removing a stabilizing presence from the back end. Without him, Florida has struggled to control pace, defend the slot, and close games that once felt routine.

With NHL play set to resume on February 25, time is no longer a luxury. If the Panthers want to stay alive in the 2026 playoff race, help on defense may need to arrive sooner rather than later.

That urgency has pushed the front office into uncomfortable territory.

At 33, Justin Faulk is quietly putting together one of his strongest seasons with the St. Louis Blues. He has already recorded 30 points, including 11 goals, while logging heavy minutes against top competition.

More importantly for Florida, he remains under contract for next season, offering more than a short-term fix.

On the ice, the fit makes sense. Faulk brings experience, structure, and a steady right-shot presence, exactly what the Panthers lack while injuries pile up.

He would immediately absorb tough minutes and reduce pressure on an overworked group.

Off the ice, however, the challenge is significant. Faulk carries a 6.5 million dollar cap hit, and fitting that salary into Florida’s books would be anything but simple.

This is where the situation becomes a true test for general manager Bill Zito.

One solution being discussed involves moving Evan Rodrigues to St. Louis. Rodrigues carries a 3 million dollar cap hit, and sending him out would provide partial relief.

Even then, multiple additional moves would likely be required for Florida to remain cap compliant.

A realistic trade framework being discussed looks like this.

Florida Panthers receive Justin Faulk.
St. Louis Blues receive a 2025 first-round pick, a 2026 third-round pick, and Evan Rodrigues.

From Florida’s perspective, this is a bold gamble. A first-round pick is a steep price, but the Panthers are operating in a win-now window shaped by recent championships.

The belief would be that stabilizing the defense outweighs future uncertainty.

For the Blues, the return reflects leverage. Faulk is productive, experienced, and under contract, and St. Louis would be justified in asking for premium assets plus a roster player.

For Bill Zito, this would be a cap puzzle more than a hockey one. Creativity, timing, and secondary transactions would all be required to make a deal like this work. But standing still may no longer be an option.

After two long championship runs, attrition has finally caught up. If the Panthers want to keep their season alive, solving the defensive problem may require both courage and sacrifice.