The Florida Panthers continue to put another Stanley Cup champion player at the center of trade discussions. The team is currently more than $3.7 million over the salary cap, and although they secured extensions for key players like forward Sam Bennett, veteran Brad Marchand, and defenseman Aaron Ekblad, they still need to free up space.
Evan Rodrigues, who has two years remaining on his contract at a cap hit of $3 million per season, has emerged in recent weeks as the most likely candidate to be moved in order to help relieve Florida’s salary cap pressure.
The extensions for Bennett, Marchand, and Ekblad addressed the Panthers’ top priorities quickly, preventing the complications of negotiating with all three stars during the offseason, a stage when they would have had the freedom to leave for other franchises. In this context, the collateral cost seems to center on Rodrigues.
Will Rodrigues stay with the Panthers?
“He wants to be there, they want him there; I think they want to make Evan Rodrigues work there,” said NHL insider Jeff Marek on the Sekeres and Price show. His report suggests that the player’s intention is to stay in Florida.
Evan Rodrigues #17 of the Florida Panthers is introduced prior to Game Six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena on June 17, 2025 in Sunrise, Florida.
However, what a team wants isn’t always attainable. After the extensions for Marchand, Bennett, and Ekblad, the Panthers’ financial limitations could force a move. As things stand, the final decision rests with general manager Bill Zito, who must balance the desire to keep the back-to-back championship core intact.
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Potential landing spots for Rodrigues
The list of possible destinations includes teams like Vancouver, Toronto, the Colorado Avalanche, Detroit Red Wings, and Minnesota Wild. The Canucks are very interested, looking for an experienced second-line center and holding attractive assets. At the same time, the Avalanche and Red Wings have also emerged as potential suitors, taking advantage of their available cap space and looking to add veteran depth.
