Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers have already claimed one player from the Canadiens this season when they nabbed Noah Juulsen on the waiver wire before opening night.
With right shot defensemen Aaron Ekblad, Mac Weegar, Anton Stralman, and Radko Gudas already on the roster, it didn’t seem to make a ton of sense to add Juulsen, but they did. A veteran left winger would make even more sense for them.
The Panthers are off to a great start to the season but could use a little more depth up front. While Jonathan Huberdeau and Carter Verhaege are putting up points on the left side, Frank Vatrano, Ryan Lomberg and Juho Lammikko have combined for just four points in 22 games while playing third or fourth line left wing.
The Panthers could use a trusted veteran winger like Byron on their third line. He would provide sound defensive play on a line with 21 year old Eetu Luostarinen and 22 year old Owen Tippett, allowing the two young kids to trust their instincts offensively.
The Panthers have plenty of cap space, and could add a player making close to $5 million right now, so fitting in Byron would be no problem.
Rick Dudley was the Canadiens Senior Vice President when the Habs claimed Byron off waivers from the Calgary Flames. It worked out pretty good. Dudley is now a Senior Advisor for the Panthers and could be interested in adding Byron for nothing once again.