3 teams that should trade for Shipachyov
The Vegas Golden Knights have a good thing going, and it hasn't seemed to require the services of Vadim Shipachyov.
Related - Report: Golden Knights' Shipachyov given permission to seek trade
Off to a historic 7-1-0 start, the club apparently doesn't want to tinker with a lineup that's experienced early success. The 30-year-old has tallied one goal in just three games this season, and Las Vegas reportedly gave the Russian forward and his camp permission to seek a potential trade partner Wednesday.
The Golden Knights signed Shipachyov to a two-year, $9-million contract after he proved to be an elite offensive talent in the KHL, and while their experiment hasn't worked out, he should attract interest from other clubs.
Here are three teams whose bottom-six situations mean they should look to acquire him.
Florida Panthers
With a 3-5-0 record to begin this season, maybe a shake-up could help get the Panthers back on track.
The team's top two lines are solid down the middle, but their bottom two trios could use a boost. Shipachyov can fit that bill, but what really makes the Panthers an intriguing trade partner is the potential to reunite him with former teammate Evgenii Dadonov.
They played the previous three seasons together with SKA Saint Petersburg of the KHL and combined for 348 points in 318 games over that span.
Dadonov's notched seven points in eight games to begin this season. Meanwhile, Shipachyov's been limited to an average of 10:35 a night in his three outings, which have produced one goal.
A reunion with Dadonov and an increased role might benefit both Shipachyov and the Panthers.
Carolina Hurricanes
The Hurricanes might have an embarrassment of riches on their back end, but they could use some more depth up front - specifically at center.
After Jordan Staal and Victor Rask, the talent level drops considerably, with Derek Ryan and Marcus Kruger occupying the bottom two slots.
What's more, the Hurricanes currently have Ryan playing between two of their top wingers in Jeff Skinner and Justin Williams; they could use a more skilled option there.
Carolina's off to a 3-3-1 start and is scoring an average of 2.43 goals per game, 28th in the league. Offense is the team's biggest hindrance early on and acquiring Shipachyov could help address it.
San Jose Sharks
Behind Joe Thornton and Logan Couture, the Sharks are running with Chris Tierney and Ryan Carpenter down the middle - a duo that's combined for just two points on the season (both from Tierney).
The Sharks are off to an underwhelming 4-4-0 start, and while they've won three of their past four games, the club's offense sits 21st with just 2.88 goals per game.
The Sharks have the cap space to accommodate Shipachyov and his $4.5-million per season. With Thornton unlikely to continue playing beyond this campaign, it might be in the Sharks' best interest to lock up some depth at the position.
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