The Florida Panthers appear to be all-in on trying to win the Stanley Cup this season. On Wednesday night, the Panthers completed a trade with the Montreal Canadiens for defenseman Ben Chiarot. Chiarot is easily one of the more sought after defenseman that was expected to be dealt prior to the NHL's trade deadline on March 21st.

In the trade, the Panthers gave up quite a bit for the veteran defenseman. Montreal acquired a fourth round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, a first round pick in the 2023 draft, and unsigned college player Tyler Smilanic. The Canadiens also agreed to pay half of the remaining $3.5 million salary owed to Chiarot.

Chiarot, 30, is in his ninth season in the NHL. He has been one of the most consistent defensive defenseman in the league the last handful of years. But he has shown signs of wearing down, averaging over 23 minutes of ice time per game this season. Chiarot is however not much of an offensive threat, not that Florida necessarily needs more offense. He will not be expected to be a top-line defenseman, so that should cut his minutes down some.

Earlier in the day Wednesday, the Panthers cleared cap space by trading Frank Vatrano to the New York Rangers.

The Panthers have been one of the best teams in hockey all season long. After play on Wednesday night, the Panthers lead the Eastern Conference with 88 points. They trail only the Colorado Avalanche for the most points in the league and the President's Trophy.

However, it won't be easy to maintain the top spot in the east. The Carolina Hurricanes are only one point behind over in the Metropolitan Division. In their own division, the two-time defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning are only four points back.