The Florida Panthers aren’t going anywhere, anytime soon. After re-signing Brad Marchand, Sam Bennett, and Aaron Ekblad, the Cats waved goodbye to Nate Schmidt, who is off to the Utah Mammoth. However, it didn’t take long for Florida to find a replacement, signing a veteran to a bargain deal.
The Panthers are already eyeing a three-peat. After the back-to-back Stanley Cups, Florida has become greedy. Marchand and company know their window is wide open to establish a dynasty and they won’t take it for granted.
In hopes of replacing Schmidt, who is off to Utah, Bill Zito wasted no time. The Panthers have now brought in a new veteran still chasing his first Stanley Cup. Florida gives any player one of the best shots at a title, and as a result, veterans are willing to take less money in hopes of finally striking gold.
As reported by insider Elliotte Friedman, Florida has signed veteran Jeff Petry to a league-minimum contract, plus signing bonuses. Petry, a 37-year-old, will search for his first championship with the Cats in Broward County.
League minimum: How much will Petry make?
The Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the NHL and NHL Players’ Association (NHLPA) has set the league’s minimum contract at $775,000. This figure is expected to increase to $850,000 ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.
Hoping to get the ‘Schmidt’ treatment
Similarly to Schmidt’s arrival in Sunrise prior to the 2024-25 NHL season, Petry will enter the team’s facilities hoping to experience immediate success. Schmidt hoisted his first Stanley Cup at 33 years of age, and was the first to be handed the Cup after captain Aleksander Barkov did. Petry, 37, is looking to make a lasting impression on the roster and receive a similar treatment from the league’s best team.
Remember me?
Petry, an icon of the Montreal Canadiens, has had his fair share of scuffles and tilts with the Boston Bruins—and, of course, with Marchand. Now, they’ll share a locker room.
However, Marchand has shown an incredible ability to let go of the past and focus solely on the present. He became best friends with Sam Bennett, with whom he once went to battle, so Petry shouldn’t expect things to be any different when he arrives in Sunrise.