The trade deadline is a mere three weeks away, and one of the most sought after players is Jay Bouwmeester of the Florida Panthers. And wouldn't you know it, as the Panthers are finally starting to turn the corner as a franchise, they are now are faced with the prospect of having to trade their marquee player.

Dilemma? Yes and no. On one hand you can maximize Bouwmeester's value at the deadline because of the proliferation of contenders in the West, who would be willing to pay a king's ransom for his services.

On the other hand, the Panthers could keep him and take a run at the post season.  Then, in the off season, trade him before Jul. 1 when he would become the youngest UFA in league history.

Now, one might suggest that his value will never be higher than it will be Mar. 4, but I disagree. He is a big, speedy, puck-moving defenceman, who can play 25 mins per game and run the powerplay. That skill set never becomes devalued whether it's March or June.

In fact, the Panthers may be able to get more for him in June, rather than March, because he can be traded to a team that Bouwmeester would sign a long term deal with; thus increasing his worth, rather than being a rental and testing the free agent market.

Either way, the Panthers hope that Jacques Martin is a real life "Indiana Jones" and chooses wisely.