According to Sportsnet insider Jeff Merek, the Florida Panthers have made Owen Tippett available in trade discussions ahead of the 2022 trade deadline.

At first glance, this is a surprising move. Tippett is one of the top prospects in the Panthers organization, and at 23-years-old, he should be entering the prime of his career. But the Panthers are already stacked with talented wingers, many of which are signed past this season. There isn't a clear path up the lineup for a young, talented prospect like Tippet. 

The Panthers have already put up a league-leading 194 goals this season. That's an average of more than four per game. They don't need the extra scoring boost that Tippett could provide in a bigger role and his particular skill-set is not conducive to success in a spot down the lineup.

Tippett doesn't kill penalties and his style of offence, which is based on making plays through defenders, is one the Panthers may not want in the depth of their lineup in the playoffs. Most teams prefer predictable and conservative players in that role when the games become more tightly checked. Their low-event style of game has less potential to hurt the team.