Florida Panthers
· 2026-07-02
The Florida Panthers signed veteran Lars Eller, a Stanley Cup champion with the 2018 Washington Capitals, to a one-year contract as NHL Free Agency opened.
The Panthers added Eller to their roster, giving them a great option on the penalty kill and a likely candidate to center their fourth line.
Eller spent last season with the Ottawa Senators, scoring five goals with 15 points, and has played in 116 postseason games over his 17-year career.
The signing of Eller is a significant move for the Panthers, who are looking to improve their roster after finishing 14th in the Eastern Conference with a 40-38 record, on a W3 streak.
The Panthers previously signed defenseman Alex Petrovic as a free agent and locked down Radko Gudas with a six-year deal paying $1.5 million per.
The Panthers will host their development camp on Thursday at the IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale, followed by their rookie camp and tournament in late August or early September.
The Panthers' training camp will start in early or mid-September, with their preseason schedule beginning on September 20 against the Carolina Hurricanes.
And the 2026-27 NHL season is set to open in late September, with the site and opponent to be announced.
The Panthers are looking to build on their current momentum, with a strong offseason and a focus on improving their roster.
So the signing of Eller is a key move for the Panthers, who are looking to make a push in the Eastern Conference.
But the Panthers still have work to do, with several other moves likely to come in the offseason.
The Panthers' fans will be watching closely, as the team looks to make a deep run in the playoffs.
Eller's experience and skill will be a valuable asset to the Panthers, who are looking to make a statement in the NHL.
The Panthers' roster is taking shape, with several key players returning and a few new faces joining the team.
And with the signing of Eller, the Panthers are looking to make a strong push in the Eastern Conference.