Bill Zito and the Florida Panthers might have an even bigger surprise in store. With Auston Matthews and the Toronto Maple Leafs lurking for a potential cap casualty, reports suggest the Panthers might put all those plans to rest with yet another heroic move in the NHL offseason.
The summer of ’25 for the Maple Leafs and Panthers has been starkly different. In Toronto, mixed feelings took over the city. Mitch Marner is no longer in town, signifying a new beginning, with all that such uncertainty implies. As for the Cats, summer has been a blast, as it often is in South Florida. The reigning Stanley Cup champions have no complaints, whatsoever.
However, there is one issue bugging in Florida’s mind. After re-signing Brad Marchand, Sam Bennett, and Aaron Ekblad to long-term deals, the Cats are now over the NHL’s salary cap. To fall back under the league’s financial obligations, the Panthers might have to deal one of its current players away. All signs point to Evan Rodrigues, whose $3M contract could clear a considerable amount of cap space.
Pending decision
The Panthers have most likely explored all their options surrounding Rodrigues, and most include finding a trade partner in the NHL. Matthews‘ Leafs are seemingly a favorite to pursue the veteran forward, but even then it’s unclear whether Zito and the Cats will actually make E-Rod available. On that note, reports hint Florida could be working on one last ‘miraculous’ contractual move in the offseason.
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.
“Ultimately, Rodrigues may not get traded,” Jim Parsons stated on The Hockey News. “The Panthers would love to keep a player this effective, and if they can find other ways to get under the cap ceiling, they’ll try. Jeff Marek recently noted that Rodrigues ‘wants to be there and they want him there’. However way Bill Zito can do this, I think they want to make Evan Rodrigues work there.”
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NHL News: Brad Marchand’s Panthers reportedly set to face the music amid Evan Rodrigues, Matthew Tkachuk dilemma
Fool me once…
If the Panthers manage to restructure Rodrigues’ deal in order to comply with the NHL‘s salary cap, then Matthews and the Leafs’ grudge for the Cats will only grow to a whole other level. Not only has Florida knocked Toronto out of the Stanley Cup Playoffs in two of the past three seasons, it has now added insult to injury.
The Maple Leafs were among the teams most eager to sign the pending UFAs Marchand, Ekblad, and Bennett. That excitement was in vain, as neither star made it to market, instead Zito managed to keep the three in town.
Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs warms up prior to play against the Detroit Red Wings during the 2017 Scotiabank NHL Centennial Classic at BMO Field On January 1, 2017 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Not again
It was heartbreaking for Matthews and company. Everybody knew Marner was on his way out of town, and replacing him with either Marchand or Bennett could have faded all the pain away. Instead, the Buds are now left with a huge void in the top-six.
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Based on the reports around the league, it might be déjà vu for Toronto. The organization in The Six got its hopes up, but Zito and the front office in the Sunshine State might rain on the Leafs’ parade.
