The Florida Panthers completed one of the biggest NHL offseasons in recent memory. Against all odds, the Cats kept Brad Marchand, Sam Bennett, and Aaron Ekblad in town for the long-haul. However, it might be time for the organization to face the music and make a final decision on the Evan Rodrigues-Matthew Tkachuk dilemma.
The Panthers are a powerhouse, the mecca of the NHL, and the reigning Stanley Cup champions. Yet there’s one thing Florida is not—and that’s a team currently under the salary cap.
After extending the deals of Marchand, Bennett, and Ekblad, the Panthers are now $3.725 million over the salary cap—and it’s time Florida addresses how it plans to get back under the cap before the 2025–26 NHL season gets underway.
Choose wisely
On that note, two roads present themselves to the Cats. The Panthers could either place Tkachuk on long-term injured reserve (LTIR), though that would most probably only mean kicking the can down the road. On the other hand, Florida could part ways with one of its assets, and Rodrigues has emerged as the favored cap-casualty.
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.
“There’s zero doubt here that teams already have, currently are, or soon will be inquiring about [Rodrigues’] availability. He’s a valuable, versatile, veteran player the Panthers do not take for granted,” NHL.com’s Dan Rosen said.
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Buying some time
If the Panthers aren’t ready to deal Rodrigues away just yet, then placing Tkachuk on LTIR could serve their purpose. However, that’d be more of a patch, rather than a definite solution. Still, it might be an option the Cats might look favorably upon.
“The Panthers will be cap compliant to start the season if Tkachuk has to start on LTIR,” Rosen added. “But that’s obviously not a long-term solution because he will be back at some point, and when he comes back they have to have the cap space to add him. But an LTIR stint for Tkachuk would allow Florida to punt the issue down the road a bit.”
Weather the storm
Tkachuk is coming off a rocky season due to long-term injuries. After returning from a groin injury in the playoffs, the forward sustained a torn adductor muscle and a sports hernia injury on the same side of his body. Moreover, he tore his injured adductor muscle from the bone.
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It’s safe to say the Panthers’ star could benefit from a few extra weeks to recover during the 2025–26 campaign. All signs suggest Marchand and company will have to work overtime to make up for Tkachuk’s absence.
