Panthers active on the trade market

Florida Panthers Assistant GM Randy Sexton tells Brian Biggane of the Palm Beach Post that the club is actively shopping to improve their roster before the February 26 trade deadline.

However, the Panthers are having a difficult time finding a trading partner.

“Everybody’s looking for the same thing – a top-six forward and a puck-moving defenseman,” Sexton said.

Biggane lists forwards Mats Sundin of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Marian Hossa of the Atlanta Thrashers, and defensemen Brian Campbell of the Buffalo Sabres, Dan Boyle of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Rob Blake of the Los Angeles Kings as possible additions.

Meanwhile, Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reports that the Panthers are also trying to deal forward Olli Jokinen.

Word is that Sexton discussed a deal with San Jose Sharks GM Doug Wilson earlier in the season that would have seen the Panthers land forward Patrick Marleau and defenseman Matt Carle.

While it’s unclear why the deal fell through, it’s possible that Florida owner Alan Cohen intervened as he has made it clear he’d like Jokinen to remain in South Florida.

Still, Garrioch speculates that the Panthers might try to make another play for Marleau before the deadline.

The Calgary Flames appear to also be interested in picking up Jokinen should he become available.