Countdown to TradeCentre: Panthers holding out Tippett as Giroux race heats up

The NHL's Mar. 21 Trade Deadline is approaching and teams are making decisions on whether to buy, sell and decide which players can make the biggest difference and hold the greatest value. Check out today's trade rumours and speculation from around the NHL beat. And follow TradeCentre on TSN and TSN.ca through Deadline Day for all the updates.

TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger reports Florida Panthers prospect Owen Tippett is being held out of the Charlotte Checkers lineup Thursday, fueling speculation in connection to Claude Giroux rumours.

Owen Tippett expected to be held out of Charlotte’s lineup tonight. More speculation in connection to Giroux rumours.

Tippett, selected 10th overall in the 2017 NHL Draft,  has six goals and 14 points in 42 games with the Panthers this season. The 23-year-old also has six goals and 18 points in 12 games with the AHL's Checkers.

He appeared in a career-high 45 games with the Panthers last season, posting seven goals and 18 points.

The Giroux sweepstakes appear to be turning into a  race between the NHL's current two top teams - the Colorado Avalanche in the West and the East's Panthers.

The Avalanche acquired Josh Manson earlier this week from the Anaheim Ducks and then cleared cap space by moving Tyson Jost to the Minnesota Wild for Nico Sturm.

The Panthers got in on the trade action Wednesday, dealing Frank Vatrano to the New York Rangers to clear space before acquiring Montreal Canadiens blueliner Ben Chiarot - with half his salary $3.5 million retained - in a deal for prospect Ty Smilanic, a 2023 first-round pick and a fourth-round pick in 2022.

Habs got their first round pick on Chiarot which some people didn’t think would happen. But Florida is all-in. The Panthers still aim to