Panthers’ Tallon on trade deadline: ‘The goal is to be buying’

Jaromir Jagr scored his 11th unassisted and the Florida Panthers defeated the Anaheim Ducks.

Sitting just one point back of a playoff spot, the Florida Panthers are on the record as being buyers ahead of the NHL trade deadline.

In an interview with NHL.com, Panthers president of hockey operations Dale Tallon said as much about his club which is finally healthy after the return of Jonathan Huberdeau who missed most of the season with an Achilles tendon injury.

“The goal is to be buying,” Tallon said Saturday. “I like where we’re at, but I’d like to add some offence to get our power play going.”

The Panthers have more than $9.5 million in cap space, according to capfriendly.com. Florida currently has the 28th-best power play.

“I like our team, we’ve been waiting for [a healthy roster] for a long time,” Tallon said. “Jonathan’s made an extraordinary recovery.”

Huberdeau has three goals and seven points in five games since his return. He recorded 59 points in 76 games last season.

“It’s quiet right now,” said Tallon of the NHL’s trade chatter. “It’s probably going to go down to next Sunday or Monday before trades are made.”

Florida currently sits two points back of Boston for third in the Atlantic Division and one point behind Toronto for the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.

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