Florida Panthers
· 2026-07-02
The Florida Panthers have made significant roster moves, including acquiring goalie Jacob Markstrom, to prepare for the NHL Free Agency period.
The Panthers traded Evan Rodrigues and Jesper Boqvist to the New Jersey Devils for Markstrom, effectively ending the Sergei Bobrovsky Era.
The team also signed Akira Schmid as their backup goalie, bringing their roster closer to completion.
With a 40-38 record and 14th in the Eastern Conference, the Panthers are looking to make strategic moves to improve their standings.
The team has about $4.5 million under the $104 million salary cap, according to PuckPedia, giving them some room to maneuver.
The Panthers will be looking to sign a No. 7 defenseman and a depth forward or two to complete their roster.
They will also need to save $1 million to give Schmid a contract, making their free agency moves crucial to their success.
The team's current lineup includes 12 NHL forwards, seven defensemen, and a goalie, with players like Brady Tkachuk, Sasha Barkov, and Sam Reinhart leading the charge.
As of June 30, 2026, the Panthers' lines are set, with Markstrom as their starter and Schmid as their backup.
The team is on a W3 streak, and their next moves will be crucial in determining their success in the upcoming season.
The Panthers' development camp and rookie camp are scheduled for later in the summer, with their training camp set to start in early September.
Their preseason games will begin on September 20 against the Carolina Hurricanes, and the 2026-27 NHL season will open in late September.