The Florida Panthers are standing firm on keeping forward Evan Rodrigues despite ongoing salary cap challenges and circulating trade rumors. This steadfastness comes amid growing interest from teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs, who are reportedly intrigued by Rodrigues, especially with Auston Matthews and the Leafs looking to bolster their roster.
As two-time defending Stanley Cup champions, the Panthers are committed to preserving their core group, including Rodrigues. The salary cap crunch has raised questions about potential trades to create space, but insiders indicate Rodrigues is not going anywhere. Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet clarified the situation, emphasizing the Panthers’ high valuation of Rodrigues.
“I think a number of fans have wondered if Florida would trade someone like Evan Rodrigues off their roster to make things work. I don’t think that’s going to be happening. First of all, they consider Rodrigues a really important player. But secondly, I think we’re gonna find out at some point here that [Matthew] Tkachuk will miss the start of the season,” Friedman reported.
Why are the Panthers holding on to Rodrigues?
Friedman explained that the Panthers plan to rely on long-term injured reserve (LTIR) relief due to Matthew Tkachuk’s injury from the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament. Tkachuk is expected to miss the season’s start, which opens up salary cap space the Panthers can utilize without needing to move Rodrigues. This strategy has been key for Florida in recent years, allowing them to add major pieces while navigating cap restrictions.
Evan Rodrigues #17 of the Florida Panthers skates with the Stanley Cup following their win over the Edmonton Oilers following Game Six of the 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena on June 17, 2025 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
“I think he’ll be back in time for the Olympics. Obviously, that’s a huge deal for him, and it was always going to be set up that way. But, I think he’s going to miss the start of the year and a chunk of time after that,” Friedman added.
see also
NHL News: Maple Leafs could be open to trading one of Auston Matthews’ teammates for Panthers’ Evan Rodrigues
What does this mean for the Panthers’ championship hopes?
With Rodrigues secured and cap flexibility ensured through LTIR, the Panthers remain poised to pursue a historic third consecutive Stanley Cup. Should they succeed, they would join a rare group, becoming the first team since the early 1980s New York Islanders—and the first North American team since the late 1990s Yankees—to win three straight titles.
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Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs continue to explore options to strengthen their lineup, with interest in players like Rodrigues reflective of their pursuit to complement stars such as Auston Matthews in their quest for playoff success.
