Florida Panthers GM gave a player his word he wouldn't trade him, now he has to decide if he will keep his word
The Florida Panthers have had a rough season so far with Paul Maurice at the helm. They sit 5th in the Atlantic Division, with a 10-8-2 record.
Now they may have to break a promise with a forward they traded for years ago, which was when they signed him, they'd never move him.
Veteran forward Patric Hornqvist could ultimately be the odd man out if Panthers GM Bill Zito can find the right deal.
With Bill Zito making frantic moves in the off-season, the cap space allotted to the team with Anthony Duclair being placed on long-term injured reserve has already been used and it looks like Hornqvist may be on the block.
Keep in mind, with Hornqvist out of the picture the Panthers could clear $5.3 Million in cap space, enough to bring back Duclair.
However back in July, Zito was ready to break that promise during free agency but couldn't find a trade partner for the two-time cup winner.
It looks like Zito may have bitten off more than he can chew with his recent decision-making, starting with Maurice and all the depth players(Colin White, Nick Cousins, Eric, and Marc Staal) who will never be able to replicate the 2021-2022 season since Brunette was fired.
Hornqvist will end up being an unfortunate casualty, but he hasn't been the same player since the bubble.
