Brad Marchand and the Florida Panthers are doing everything in their power to keep the team afloat in the NHL. However, there’s only so much they can do in what’s been a chaotic year across the league. With key players going down to injury almost daily, the brass in Sunrise must act fast before their hopes of a three-peat vanish into thin air.
Needless to say, missing both Matthew Tkachuk and Aleksander Barkov makes the climb to a three-peat much steeper for the Panthers. However, the team is confident on Marchand and company to provide for the key absentees.
On a similar yet different note, the blue line is an area that needs attention for the Cats. The reigning Stanley Cup champions have built their NHL empire largely on the strength of their defense, but that’s been put to the test so far in the 2025–26 season.
In addition to Nate Schmidt’s departure to the Utah Mammoth, the Panthers are now without Dmitry Kulikov (upper-body injury), and cracks are starting to show in what was once an almost impenetrable structure in the Sunshine State. Now, reports suggest GM Bill Zito and company are picking up the phone and checking prices around the league.
“Hearing the Panthers are exploring the trade market for some depth on the blue line,” The Hockey News reporter David Dwork stated on his X account. “We’ll see if anything comes to fruition in the coming days and weeks.”
Best defense might just be a good offense
While the Panthers haven’t looked as solid on their own zone as previous seasons, that is mostly a reflection of the offensive woes in Florida. Without Tkachuk and Barkov, the Cats have struggled. Marchand has been the best player by a landslide in terms of production, but it hasn’t been enough for the back-to-back champs.
The Panthers are allowing an average of 2.73 goals per game, which is among the 10-best marks around the NHL. So, the Cats’ struggles can’t be credited to the defense. Instead, it’s the lack of scoring that comes back to bite Florida. Marchand and company are scoring just 2.45 goals per game—3rd worst register so far in the NHL season.
Coach for a day
After taking a personal leave from the Panthers, Marchand is making the most of his time back home in Nova Scotia. During this period, he is giving back to the community by stepping in for his friend JP MacCallum as head coach of the U18 March and Mill Co. Hunters.
MacCallum recently lost her 10-year-old daughter, and Marchand is lending support during this difficult time. Additionally, Bleacher Report notes that the Panthers forward is organizing charitable efforts for the family.