OTTAWA, ON - MARCH 28: Florida Panthers Center Denis Malgin (62) applies pressure on the forecheck during third period National Hockey League action between the Florida Panthers and Ottawa Senators on March 28, 2019, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Florida Panthers Should Consider Drafting Cam York in the First Round by Sam Golub

With the RFA window approaching, the Florida Panthers have some decisions to make with their own RFAs. That includes Swiss forward Denis Malgin.

The deadline for the Florida Panthers to submit a qualifying offer to Denis Malgin or one of their other RFAs is June 25 at 5 P.M.

The following day serves as the interview period where the player’s own team (or another club) can begin chatting and working out the details on a new contract. However, it’s important to note that no offer sheet can be signed until July 1st, also known as Free Agent Frenzy.

Obviously, the Panthers still have some time before the deadline to submit an offer or at least begin negotiating with Malgin on a contract that will work for both parties.

Considering Malgin’s current value, it’s unlikely that Florida will have much to worry about in the event they choose to retain Malgin. In 50 games last season, the 22-year-old only produced 7G, 9A, and 16 points during that span.

Sure, some teams could be interested in Malgin considering the low price tag that’s attached to him, but I’d be a little surprised to see a team throw an offer his way.

Either way, regardless of what happens, the Panthers should at least consider re-upping Malgin to a one-year, prove-it type deal.

Despite having some flaws within his game, Malgin is still a decent depth option that can contribute at times. Better yet, it would hardly cost anything to retain him for another season, evident by his previous $690k cap hit.

Malgin may be a player who’s soft on the puck and struggles to win battles along the boards, but he is a player who possesses speed and skill and can be lethal from in and around the hash marks when the puck is on his stick.

He’s also a good zone-entry player who’s able to carry the puck inside the opponent’s half fairly successfully – something the Panthers lacked in last year.

I think either side to the argument can be made with Denis Malgin, and both arguments should be heard and weighed equally. Like a road that splits off into two separate directions, the Panthers will have to choose which route they’re going to take with Malgin.

In my honest opinion, I believe the Panthers should re-sign forward Denis Malgin to a one-year, prove-it deal in the range of $700-750k.

While his play was certainly underwhelming last season, I don’t think re-signing him to a very minimal contract would cause any harm, and if anything, it would provide the Cats with an extra depth piece in their system – something you can’t have enough of.

Regardless of what takes place with Denis Malgin, I’m sure the Panthers will figure something out to ensure that he’s either brought back or replaced by another player who’s just as good or better.