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At least the Panthers want to be trade deadline buyers

2014 NHL Draft - Rounds 2-7

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JUNE 28: Dale Tallon, General Manager of the Florida Panthers, speaks on the phone on Day Two of the 2014 NHL Draft at the Wells Fargo Center on June 28, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

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For years now, it’s been foolish to take a day off strictly for NHL trade deadline day.* It’s just about guaranteed that “people who took the day off” will be listed under trade deadline “losers.”

Just look at a few stories from around the league. The Washington Capitals and Chicago Blackhawks essentially said they’ll sit this one out. The Columbus Dispatch reports that the Blue Jackets will probably lean more in the modest direction, too. There’s the chance that seemingly reluctant teams are merely playing coy, but there’s also the possibility that they’re trying to help fans avoid a letdown.

Well, that’s no fun. So who’s going to at least give us some fodder for baseless speculation? Message boards aren’t going to fill themselves, right?

/Cues the Florida Panthers’ theme music.

“The goal is to be buying,” Panthers GM Dale Tallon told NHL.com. “I like where we’re at, but I’d like to add some offense to get our power play going.”

Thank you Dale. Thank you.

Tallon even provides some specifics. He wants a boost on the power play and is willing to move prospects in the system if the deal is right.

Should we get a Panthers sweater ready for Radim Vrbata or would that be too hasty? That would probably be too hasty.

Perhaps the East’s wild card races are where to look when pondering trades. Maybe the Panthers, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Islanders and others will be on board with paying a price in order to make the playoffs and possibly make a Cinderella playoff push?

If nothing else, it gives rumor enthusiasts something to chew on.

(H/T to Rotoworld.)

* - Now, if that’s the excuse you need to give yourself to justify a break? By all means ...