#florida-panthers

#florida-panthers

Jeff Petry is 37 and needs to be insulated, but there are reasons to believe he could have a renaissance year and significantly outperform his league-minimum base salary. First, there is the expected change in workload. Petry averaged nearly 19 minutes per game (fourth among Red Wings defensemen) and was saddled with a subpar partner in Ben Chiarot. In other words, he was thrust into a challenging role that he was no longer equipped to handle.

Sergei Bobrovsky is doing all the heavy lifting here, given that the Panthers are expected to have Daniil Tarasov as their backup. Tarasov played 20 games (19 starts) for the Columbus Blue Jackets last season and had a 3.54 GAA and .881 save percentage. That means it mostly comes down to the apparently never-aging Bobrovsky, who helped the Panthers to their second straight Stanley Cup win last season. Bobrovsky, who turns 37 on Sept. 20,

The New York Rangers re-signed restricted free agent goaltending prospects Dylan Garand and Talyn Boyko to one-year, two-way contracts. Garand, a fourth-round pick in 2020, appeared in 39 games with the Hartford Wolf Pack, posting a 20-10-8 record, 2.73 goals against avenue, .913 save percentage and three shutouts. Boyko, a fourth-rounder in 2021, spent most of last season with the ECHL Tulsa Oilers, where he went 20-8-5 with 2.66 goals against avenue, .913 save percentage and two shutouts.

Marek Vilmanis showcased impressive offensive skills during his draft season, scoring 18 goals in 40 games and ranking third in points with 32, as an essential asset for Luleå HF's U20 team.

EA Sports has named Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk as the cover athlete for NHL 26, marking a significant recognition for the player and franchise.

Florida Panthers will open the 2025-26 season on October 7, hosting the Chicago Blackhawks, Philadelphia Flyers, and Ottawa Senators during a three-game homestand.

The Florida Panthers will begin their 2025-26 season by raising their second championship banner and playing against the Chicago Blackhawks on October 7.

The 2025 NHL offseason has been eventful, featuring key player trades, 224 newly drafted prospects, and numerous re-signings. ESPN is grading significant signings based on player fit and contract terms.

Florida Panthers general manager Bill Zito has only $1.275 million in cap space to work with, requiring strategic signings to strengthen the roster for the 2025-26 season.

Bennett's contract extension reinforces his role as a pivotal player for the Panthers and highlights his blend of skill and physicality, crucial for the team.