FHN Today: Centers who could hit the NHL trade market

There are still a number of NHL free agents out there looking for teams but when it comes to centers, the cupboard looks pretty bare. Could things improve at the NHL trade deadline?

Our Dan Kingerski of PittsburghHockeyNow.com looks ahead to a potential need in Pittsburgh and breaks down which centers could be available for trade when the deadline comes around.

Right now, Kingerski is only targeting rental players whom the Penguins could potentially have interest in bringing in.

The center position, of course, is one of strength for the Florida Panthers. 

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Florida will go into camp with Sasha Barkov centering its top line with Sam Reinhart likely on right wing although he showed last season in Buffalo that he could do some damage centering a line.

The Panthers also have Sam Bennett, Joe Thornton, rookie Anton Lundell, Noel Acciari, Eetu Luostarinen, Juho Lammikko … the list goes on and on.

Simply put, the Panthers have a lot of centers.

But, GM Bill Zito is always looking so if Florida were to lose a player or two to injury, some of these names could draw interest from Sunrise as well.

FLORIDA PANTHERS LINKS

Bill Lindsay joins Jameson Olive and Doug Plagens for the latest edition of Territory Talk.

Topics include how Billy sees the versatility of Florida’s lineup, playing against Joe Thornton in his prime and getting ready for October. (Panthers)

— Is MacKenzie Weegar the real deal? (Hockey News)

— The Seattle Kraken say they are going to play both of their goalies. At least that’s something Chris Driedger is used to. (Seattle Times)

AROUND THE NHL

Five coaches who may be on the hot seat — and who could step in to replace them.

Joel Quenneville isn’t listed, but his predecessor is. (Hockey News)

— Jamie Lee Rattray scored twice to lead Canada to a 5-1 win over the United States in the women’s world hockey championship Thursday. Canada beat out the Americans for Pool A but both teams advance to the quarterfinals. (TSN)

— The Red Wings announced what numbers their new players would wear this season. What they are, and who wore that number in Detroit the best. (DHN)

— Evander Kane has put his San Jose area home up for sale. (SJHN)

— Darcy Kuemper is ready to take over the Avs net. (CHN)

— Sean Couturier is staying in Philadelphia after getting an eight-year contract extension. (PHN)

— Andrei Svechnikov is also staying in Carolina after he got the same deal with the Hurricanes. (Raleigh News-Observer)