Florida Panthers
· 2026-07-01
The Florida Panthers traded Evan Rodrigues to the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday, marking the end of his impactful run with the team.
Evan Rodrigues was a versatile player who played center or wing on all four lines during his time with the Florida Panthers.
He killed penalties and played on the power play, showcasing his grit and offensive touch.
Rodrigues was an unsung hero who did whatever the Panthers and coach Paul Maurice asked him to do.
He was appreciated by the Panthers, and his departure will be felt both on and off the ice.
The Panthers were up against the salary cap, and Rodrigues' $3 million cap hit was needed to spend elsewhere.
The Florida Panthers are currently on a W3 streak, with a 40-38 record, and stand 14th in the Eastern Conference as of July 1, 2026.
Captain Sasha Barkov praised Rodrigues, saying he can "basically do it all" and is a great guy to have around.
Rodrigues leaves the Panthers as a two-time Stanley Cup champion, and his legacy will be remembered by the team and its fans.
The Panthers will now look to fill the void left by Rodrigues, and their offseason plans are already underway.
The team's development camp is scheduled to take place from today until Thursday at the IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale.
The Panthers' rookie camp and tournament will follow in late August or early September, with the training camp set to start in early or mid-September.
The 2026-27 NHL season is expected to open in late September, with the Panthers' preseason schedule starting on September 20 against the Carolina Hurricanes.
And with the NHL free agency opening on Wednesday at noon, the Panthers will have to make some key decisions to strengthen their roster.
But for now, the focus is on Rodrigues and the impact he had on the team during his time with the Florida Panthers.
So the Panthers will move forward, looking to build on their current momentum and make a push for the playoffs next season.