Is March Madness betting overhyped? Not sure, but I know what’s definitely overhyped in NHL betting circles: the trade deadline. Few sporting universes, if any, go crazy over that annual date like the hockey one does.

As the deadline approaches, I’ll periodically pick a focal point of trade rumors and discuss what I’d do in the GM’s shoes. We may as well start with the name occupying the thoughts of contending teams and online sports betting players alike these days: Jay Bouwmeester.

Who wouldn’t want him? Big, fast, 25, able to move the puck…it doesn’t get any better. Anyone who likes to bet on hockey probably wants to see Bouwmeester on his or her favorite team. But what should Jacques Martin do?

This is a complicated dilemma, considering the Panthers are fighting for a playoff spot and want to “win now” despite also having an emerging youth movement. If they’re thinking of themselves as “buyers” who want to “rent” a player, they should keep Bouwmeester, who will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. Under that logic, what rental would be better than Bouwmeester?

If they’re looking to keep slowly building for the future, they have to trade him. It’s too dangerous to risk losing him for nothing, and NHL betting fans know Florida could get a glorious package of picks and prospects in exchange for the big rearguard.

In a perfect world, Martin could re-sign Bouwmeester before the deadline…but I’d bet at the sportsbook that Bouwmeester wants to test the waters this summer.