Florida Panthers
· 2026-07-09
Florida Panthers announced a fresh jersey‑number roster on Tuesday, confirming that veteran defenseman Radko Gudas will wear No. 6 while Brady Tkachuk continues at No. 8, as the club sits 14th in the Eastern Conference with a 40‑38 record and a three‑game winning streak.
Goalie Jacob Markstrom returned to the Panthers and immediately took No. 25, a digit he only wore for a single season during his first stint. Defenseman Dmitry Kulikov came back in 2023 and reclaimed No. 7, the number he last wore before Radko Gudas departed for Anaheim. When Gudas re‑joined the roster, he was forced to select a new jersey, ultimately landing on the now‑available No. 6.
Forward Alex Petrovic returned for the first time since 2019, but his former No. 6 was snapped up by Gudas, leaving Petrovic to choose a different digit. Donovan Sebrango, who was with the Panthers last season, also had to switch because his previous No. 6 was no longer open. The number shuffle reflects the fluid nature of roster moves in the off‑season.
No. 6 has a storied past: first worn by Peter Andersson in 1994, it later belonged to Jason Wooley, who helped Florida reach the 1996 Stanley Cup Final. Recent wearers include Jaycob Megna, a 2025 champion, and Dan Boyle, a former All‑Star. No. 8 debuted on a Panthers jersey with Dallas Eakins in 1994; Peter Worrell made it his own in 2000 and still contributes to the organization, ranking second all‑time in penalty minutes.
The new assignments give Gudas a fresh identity on the blue line, pairing him with Kulikov’s No. 7 on the second defensive pairing. Markstrom’s return to No. 25 restores a familiar look for fans, while Tkachuk’s continued presence at No. 8 keeps the team’s most marketable forward recognizable on the ice. As the Panthers gear up for the upcoming campaign, these jersey decisions signal both respect for franchise history and a practical response to roster turnover.