The Florida Panthers, back-to-back Stanley Cup champions, continue strengthening their roster ahead of the 2025-26 NHL season. Following the extensions of Sam Bennett, Brad Marchand, and Aaron Ekblad, the team is further boosting its offense while Matthew Tkachuk works his way back from recovery.
In Sunrise, there’s strong belief that the team’s best core pieces are already in place, which is why retaining key players was the top priority. It’s an understandable stance considering that under Tkachuk’s leadership, the Panthers have remained a dominant force over the past two seasons.
Alongside Marchand and Ekblad, Florida’s attack will now feature an experienced forward who hit free agency this offseason. After splitting last season between two different franchises, the goal is to bring more consistency to the lineup.
Who is the new addition for the Panthers?
The Panthers have signed forward Luke Kunin, who agreed to a one-year deal with Florida to join Marchand, Tkachuk, and the rest of the roster. The move was announced by President of Hockey Operations and General Manager, Bill Zito.
Luke Kunin, the new forward of the Panthers
What Kunin could bring to the Panthers
Kunin arrives in Florida at 27 years old, coming off a 2024-25 campaign in which he recorded 18 points (11 goals, 7 assists), split between the San Jose Sharks (63 games) and the Columbus Blue Jackets (12). During his time with San Jose, he also served as an alternate captain.
see also
NHL News: Matthew Tkachuk’s Team USA teammate scolds Panthers star for unsportsmanlike ‘hit-and-run’ during playoffs
Overall, Kunin’s NHL career includes 434 games played, with 142 points and over 887 hits delivered, making him a physical and competitive piece projected to slot into the fourth line. Originally drafted in the first round (15th overall) by the Minnesota Wild in the 2016 NHL Draft, Kunin also captained Team USA at the 2017 World Junior Championship.
