New Additions: G Daniil Tarasov (from CBJ), D Jeff Petry (1yr x $775k), F Jack Studnicka (1yr x $775k), F Nolan Foote (1yr x $775k), F Luke Kunin (1yr x $800k)

Subtractions: F Justin Sourdif (to WSH), D Nate Schmidt (to UTA)

Retentions/Extensions: F Sam Bennett (8yr x $8M AAV), D Aaron Ekblad (8yr x $6.1M AAV), F Brad Marchand (6yr x $5.25M AAV), F Tomas Nosek (1yr x $775k), G Daniil Tarasov (1yr x $1.05M), F MacKenzie Entwistle (2yr x $775k AAV), F Mackie Samoskevich (1yr x $775k), D Tobias Bjornfot (1yr x $775k)

In 1996, the Florida Panthers went on an incredible run in the playoffs, making it all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals before being swept by the Colorado Avalanche. It was the franchise’s third season, and having success that early on for an expansion team was a major accomplishment, and helped the club gain respect around the league as a legitimate club. By 2019, that credibility was gone, as the team only made the playoffs four times and failed to win a single series since 1996. Then, 2020 rolled around, marking the beginning of a new decade, one the Panthers would dominate. Since the new decade began, the Panthers have made the playoff five times (6 if you choose to count the 2020 bubble qualifying round), won the Presidents’ Trophy for the first time in history in 2022, made it to the Stanley Cup Finals three times, and won two championships, going back to back in 2024 and 2025. A team that was always near the bottom of the standings for so long has become the class of the NHL, the team to beat, and the team that other teams wish they could be.

In addition to the trophies, other teams are jealous of the Panthers for their ability to retain their players at a Florida discount. Three big name UFAs were going to draw a lot of interest had they hit the open market, but all re-signed in the Sunshine State before free agency hit. Conn Smythe winner Sam Bennett (8yr x $8M AAV), longtime Panther and former number one pick Aaron Ekblad (8yr x $6.1M AAV), and Brad Marchand (6yr x $5.25M AAV), who came from Boston at the deadline and fit in perfectly with the team. Players seem to opt to take less to stay in a combination of choosing to help the team out in order to keep chasing Cups, and the state of Florida’s income tax laws. More heavy on taking a discount for Ekblad and Marchand who both would have been offered much more than they signed for. Sam Bennett cashed in on an incredible playoff run (15 goals and 22 points) where he was named MVP, by signing an eight year $64M contract, almost doubling his yearly salary from his previous contract (4yr x $4.425M AAV). He might not be an $8M player in the regular season, but he showed just how valuable he is to the team in the playoffs.

Those re-signings were the most important pieces of business to handle in the offseason, as it was fairly quiet for the Panthers this summer (aside from their cup celebration). The team acquired Daniil Tarasov from Columbus to back up Sergei Bobrovsky this season. The Russian goalie has served as the Blue Jackets backup the past three seasons. Defenceman Nate Schmidt, who had 12 points in the playoffs, capitalized on his impressive season by signing a three year contract in Utah after playing the season on a one year $800k deal with Florida. The team hopes to replace him with another cheap one year deal, signing veteran Jeff Petry to a one year deal worth $775k.

The top end talent of this roster can sometimes get overlooked with how deep the team is. Aleksander Barkov and Sam Reinhart play together on the top line, and can go toe to toe with any opposing team’s best line, as they are two of the sharpest two way players in the game. Both had point per game seasons last year, and finished first and second in Selke voting, with Barkov taking home the award for the third time in his career. Matthew Tkachuk missed time last season with an injury, but came back at the start of the playoffs. He underwent offseason surgery and will miss the first few months of the season, reportedly at least until December, but the team could be patient. I have a hard time imagining he will not be back by the time the Olympics roll around, as he has already been named to the U.S. Men’s team.

Their blue line is perhaps the best in the league, headlined by the name value of Seth Jones and Aaron Ekblad. The two right handed defencemen log big minutes for the team at even strength and on special teams. However the team’s best defenceman might be Gustav Forsling, one of the best waiver claims of all time. Forsling can contribute on offense like the other two, but he is praised for his shutdown ability, and playing heavy minutes against the best players on opposing teams. He has been gaining recognition through the team’s successful past few seasons, and even found his way onto some Norris ballots this year, finishing 13th in voting. 

Bobrovsky remains an elite goaltender, but just turned 37 and eventually age catches up to everybody. I still anticipate him to continue his level of play for a few years, potentially into his forties. That being said, they can not run him into the ground, and if they want to keep going deep in the playoffs, the less games he starts in the regular season the better. The team traded Spencer Knight last year, who appeared poised to take over when Bob’s time was up, now they will have to rely on Tarasov to handle backup duties.

The team was able to roll four forward lines all playoffs and was a large reason for their championship. Carter Verhaeghe and Evan Rodrigues serve as two great complimentary forwards in the top six. Anton Lundell could be the best third line center in the NHL, and on a line with Brad Marchand and Eetu Luostarinen, the trio may have been the Panthers best line in the playoffs. I doubt coach Paul Maurice will break that line up any time soon. The fourth line of Greer, Nosek and Gajovich was tough and gritty last year, but also could contribute on the scoresheet, the entire line from the playoffs remains under contract.

The championship window is wide open for the Florida Panthers, who seek the first three-peat since the early 1980s when the New York Islanders won four consecutive Stanley Cups. I expect a quiet, but steady regular season, this team is built for playoff hockey and is focused on the long term goal. With Tkachuk on the IR for a while, and a question mark at the backup goalie position, I do not expect this team to be competing for the Presidents’ Trophy, they do not need to prove to anyone that they are one of the best teams in the league. This roster is too talented to miss the playoffs, and once there, the quest to defend their two titles begins.