The NHL season wouldn’t feel right if there weren’t bad blood already boiling between the Panthers and Lightning. The Battle of Florida is alive and well—and the two organizations have yet to meet in an official game.

Following Scott Sabourin’s roughing call against Ekblad during the preseason finale, the Department of Player Safety stepped in, handing the forward on the Lightning a multi-game suspension.

“Tampa Bay Lightning forward Scott Sabourin is suspended four games for roughing against Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad,” as announced by @NHLPlayerSafety through its X account (formerly Twitter).

Sent a message

After a heated preseason game in Tampa, the Bolts and Cats met again in Sunrise for the third and final time in the NHL preseason. Right from the get-go, the Lightning came out of the gate determined to go after the reigning Stanley Cup champions.

Just over two minutes into the game, Sabourin chased Ekblad into the end wall before delivering a body hit. It was all legal up to that point, but the undrafted veteran then struck the former first-overall pick in the face and dropped the gloves, even though Ekblad had no intention of getting into a fight.

It was clear the Lightning weren’t looking to win as much as they were trying to avenge the events of the past game. As a result, three Bolts’ players were ejected in the opening 15 minutes. What was supposed to be an exhibition turned ugly, leading to 322 penalty minutes, 16 ejections, and two suspensions handed out to Tampa Bay.

In addition to Sabourin, blueliner J.J. Moser has been suspended two games for boarding Florida forward Jesper Boqvist. Contrary to Sabourin, Moser might play a big role for Cooper and the Bolts. Last season, he made 54 appearances, recording 14 points (2G, 12A).

Can afford it

While a four-game suspension to start the season would be costly for any NHL team when it comes to key players, Sabourin isn’t quite that for Cooper’s Lightning. Since 2020, Sabourin has played in just 12 NHL games, being mostly utilized in the AHL.

After signing as a free agent in Tampa during the summer, his role isn’t expected to change. His spot on the organization is most likely reserved on the Syracuse Crunch. Thus, him being suspended four games by the NHL is anything but a big blow to the roster in Cigar City.

After two consecutive victories against Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers in the Stanley Cup final, many thought the Panthers would fall apart. However, general manager Bill Zito did an extraordinary job.

However, the factor that could derail their championship hopes is injuries. Less than two months before the start of the new season, the Florida Panthers have lost one of their stars for an extended period of time.

Who got injured with Panthers?

Matthew Tkachuk is out for the start of the 2025-2026 season with the Florida Panthers due to an adductor injury and a hernia. The information was confirmed by a report from David Pagnotta.

“Can confirm Matthew Tkachuk underwent surgery a few weeks ago and will miss the start of the season. Timeline is unclear, but he could be out of action as long as sometime in January.”

The Red Wings have much work to do in the 2025-26 NHL season. At this point, it’s playoff-or-bust for Kane and company. However, fans in Motor City know that’s way easier said than done.

The Red Wings hope this will be the year they finally break the postseason hex. It’s about time, nine seasons have flown by and Detroit has yet to watch meaningful hockey in the spring. Kane’s arrival has failed to deliver on that promise so far. Meanwhile, down in South Florida, the Panthers are winning Stanley Cups in dominant fashion and building a modern-day dynasty along the way.

It’s not that Florida keeps winning, but it’s the fact that no one wants to move out of Sunrise, too. These are scary hours for the rest of the NHL, the Cats are brewing something and nobody wants anything to do with it. According to reports, Kane’s Red Wings hoped to snag a key piece off the Panthers, but to no avail.

“I know Detroit was pushing for some of the top potential UFAs this summer,” The Athletic’s insider James Mirtle stated. “Aaron Ekblad, in particular, could have signed for a much thicker average annual value in Michigan than the $6.1 million he took with Florida.”

Home discount

Ekblad was always going to be a tough fish to catch for the Red Wings in NHL free agency. The blueliner made it crystal clear he wished to stay in Sunrise—to such an extent that the former first-overall pick admitted he was willing to take a considerable pay cut to remain in town. And that he did. Ekblad could’ve signed a ludicrous deal anywhere in the league, but his desire to chase more glory in the Sunshine State outweighed the money bags.

Instead, the 29-year-old defenseman put pen to paper on an eight-year, $48.80 million extension. It made shockwaves around the league as several franchises were waiting for him to hit the market and extend a massive contract. All hopes were in vain, though. The Panthers didn’t let his deal expire before inking him for the long-haul.

What could’ve been?

Kane and the Red Wings will get a quick glance at what could’ve been when Ekblad and the Panthers walk into Little Caesars Arena on October 15. Florida and Detroit will see each other very often, though. The Atlantic Division opponents will go to battle four times next season including the season-finale on April 15.

The Panthers have yet to figure out a way to be under the salary cap before the NHL season begins. However, everybody in Sunrise is in good spirits. Even Tkachuk, who is still doubtful about a potentially career-changing decision. After dealing with injuries all season long, the biggest hockey star in Florida could undergo surgery and miss a big chunk of the campaign.

However, that’s a decision that will take some more time before Tkachuk announces it. On another note, the Cats are making the final tweaks to their roster and that of AHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers. In that regard, Bill Zito and company have made a firm decision on a defenseman who might join Ekblad and the defensive corps in the near-future.

The Panthers have signed blueliner Mike Benning to a one-year, two-way contract, as announced by the team’s social media account. The deal is valued at $775k and will allow the Cats to move the 23-year-old up-and-down the ranks of the organization.

Benning’s background

Born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, the 5’9” defenseman might be a bit undersized for Paul Maurice’s liking. No blueliner in the Panthers’ current group stands below 6’0”, and thus Benning has some ground to cover. He must compensate for his lack of physicality with his set of skills. So far, he has yet to make his NHL debut.

Instead, since being drafted in 2020 Benning has played at the NCAA level (with the University of Denver) through the 2022-23 season. The defenseman signed a three-year, $2.75M entry-level contract (ELC) in 2022. He spent the last two seasons with the Checkers, where he appeared in 126 games and put up 58 points (18 G, 40 A).

Now, Benning has earned another chance to impress the staff in Broward County and have his number called. It could be his last shot to make it in the NHL, or at least with the Panthers. Florida’s prospect pool isn’t particularly deep, nor mind-blowing. Yet, the years go by, and their fourth-round pick from 2020 has yet to blossom.

The Tkachuk brothers have become some of the most influential celebrities in the NHL. The sons of Keith—Matthew and Brady—have risen to the big stage and made their mark.

Now, everyone wants to take a shot at the reigning Stanley Cup champs and wipe the smile off Tkachuk’s face. Matthew loves the attention, and though he has a knack for chirping opponents, he voiced a sincere message hinting at who he arguably views as the best defenseman in the NHL. While many believe Makar deserves that honor, and others expected Tkachuk to name teammate Ekblad.

The best in the business

Asked to choose two blueliners to play alongside a hypothetical forward line of himself, Brady, and Keith, Tkachuk made an honest admission, naming Quinn Hughes and Gustav Forsling. Forsling’s selection is less surprising, as the Swede plays with Tkachuk in Florida. And although Hughes will most likely play with Tkachuk on Team USA this winter, his inclusion subtly suggests that Tkachuk probably considers him the best defenseman in the league.

“We would probably need somebody that could rip the puck better than anybody, because we’d have all three at the net. And we would need a really good defensive defenseman too, because we’re all offense up there,” Tkachuk said, via Bleacher Report Open Ice. “Maybe Quinn Hughes back there. He’s really good at finding the net from the point, and Gustav Forsling.”

Reign supreme

Matthew and the Panthers are the team to beat in the league. Every NHL franchise has its eyes on them, and the Cats have a huge target on their backs. However, no one has managed to dethrone them. Tkachuk has changed the course of history for Florida.

Since Tkachuk arrived in Sunrise, the Panthers experienced highs that were unimaginable. Of course the same could be said for the winger, who unlocked a whole new level to his game after moving in to South Florida.

Eyes set on Winter Olympics

Matthew and Brady Tkachuk turned a lifelong dream into reality last winter when they played together for Team USA in the Four Nations Face-Off. The two brothers even had the chance to share the ice and assist each other.

Obviously, the heartbreaking ending and Matthew’s injury left a sour taste, but it served as a huge lesson and building block. Now, the real test will come during the 2026 Olympics in Milan. A once-in-a-lifetime chance to strike gold—and get back at Canada while they’re at it.

“I don’t even know if you look at it as revenge, but it’s been a long time coming since USA Hockey’s been at the top of the mountain,” Matthew Tkachuk reflected, per ESPN. “Canada’s owned the Olympics or World Cups or even the world championships, although we got that back a little bit this year.

“They’ve been the leader in all of that and the team that we’ve all been trying to knock off. I don’t think it’d be as much as revenge than showing how far along USA Hockey has come.“

The nation of Brotherly Love

In addition to the Tkachuk brothers, Team USA could put together another sibling duo with New Jersey Devils forward Jack Hughes and Vancouver Canucks blueliner Quinn Hughes. There’s even an argument for the Hughes brothers to one-up the Tkachuks and have Luke Hughes join them as well. However, that seems like a utopian scenario.

For now, the two older siblings will settle for being together at the Olympics, as last February Quinn missed out on the Four Nations due to injury. Plus, Luke already knows what it’s like to play with a sibling on a regular basis, as he shares the Devils’ locker room with Jack.

Since Paul Maurice took over as head coach in 2022, his focus on cultivating a winning mentality has been clear throughout the roster. Ekblad expressed confidence in the team’s ability to continue its success while acknowledging the challenges that lie ahead.

“We have won the Stanley Cup twice, and we still have a long window to win more,” he said in an interview on ABC’s Good Morning America, underlining the Panthers’ belief in their sustained championship potential.

Are the Panthers truly building a dynasty?

Ekblad emphasized that the Panthers’ window to dominate remains open well into the future. “Whether it is or isn’t next year, it is just as likely the following year,” he explained. Maintaining the core group and the winning culture established by the coaching staff are key factors in the team’s outlook.

What challenges lie ahead for the Panthers?

Despite their recent triumphs, the NHL’s grueling 82-game regular season remains a tough test. Ekblad described it as a marathon demanding full preparation and focus: “I am preparing for the marathon that is the NHL season and the playoffs. I am preparing for it like another season.” He also highlighted the crucial role of fan and community support in keeping the team motivated throughout the long campaign.

As the Panthers aim to extend their dynasty hopes, the upcoming regular season—starting October 7—will be a true test of their resilience, talent, and determination.

The Panthers are in prime position to become a modern-day NHL dynasty. Hoisting back-to-back Stanley Cups was only the beginning for the team in the Sunshine State. Now, the real fun begins. However, the Panthers must first take care of a pivotal piece of business. Extending Bennett, Marchand, and Ekblad was only the beginning, GM Bill Zito and company still have work to do.

Not one fan in Florida will second-guess the team’s decision to trade for Seth Jones. Still, that move has now left the Panthers with no plan B behind goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky.

After the Cats moved on from Spencer Knight, the future of the franchise’s net now lies entirely on Bob’s shoulders. However, the Russian goalie is set to become an unrestricted free agent (UFA). On that note, reports suggest Zito and the front office might’ve found the sweet spot for Bobrovsky’s new deal.

“Something in the $6.5-7 million range for five-six years may get a deal done quicker than not,” Florida Hockey Now’s George Richards stated. “It would not be surprising to see Bobrovsky get a shorter deal (say four years at $8 million per) which would end when he is 42 years old.“

Once upon a time…

Back when Bobrovsky signed his seven-year, $70 million contract with the Panthers in 2019, many across the NHL were skeptic. Some even went as far to say the deal would go down as one of the worst in league history.

After a rocky start to his tenure in Florida, Bob turned the page and became a brick wall when the Cats most needed him. Now, all concerns about how much Bobrovsky makes a year or his impact on Florida’s cap space are long gone.

Donning the leaf

The trio of recently extended Cats: Marchand, Ekblad, and Bennett will also join forces during Team Canada’s National Team Olympic Orientation Camp, which is set to take place in Calgary from August 26-28.

The three Cats will also be joined by Carter Verhaeghe and Sam Reinhart. ‘Swaggy’ and Ekblad missed the cut for the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off, where Marchand and Bennett first played alongside each other. However, Marchand wasn’t a Panther then. Now, the five Cats representatives on the Canadian team will hope to make the roster cut and represent their home country during the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano.

Ending a long chapter and changing franchises isn’t easy, which is why Ekblad made it clear he appreciates the Panthers’ efforts to keep him on the roster, especially after winning back-to-back league titles. Like Marchand and Bennett, Florida’s defensive anchor will contribute to the goal of winning a third straight championship.

Many teams waited in anticipation to see what would happen with Ekblad as the extension talks with the Panthers dragged on. The 29-year-old defenseman was just hours away from hitting free agency, and the Utah Mammoth, among others, were circling to acquire him. Now that his future is settled, the player who has spent his entire career in Florida has made a bold admission.

Ekblad’s 4-word message about his future in Florida

“It always was Florida,” was Ekblad’s four-word admission about his decision to stay with the Panthers. According to Florida Hockey Now, the statement, made days after agreeing to his extension, rules out any speculation about a potential move to another franchise.

“I don’t think you guys understand: Florida is home. It means the world to me. Nineteen years is a long time, especially with one franchise, and I have so much pride and still a lot of expectations for my career in these eight years. I’m really happy and proud that things got done, but it was an extremely stressful few days,” Ekblad added.

Details of Ekblad’s extension

On June 30, 2025, just hours before he was set to become a free agent, Stanley Cup champion Ekblad and the Panthers reached an agreement on an eight-year extension worth $48.8 million, with an average annual value (AAV) of $6.1 million. The deal includes a no-move clause for the first six seasons and a modified clause in the final two.

The Panthers know better than to lay all the eggs in one basket. They are now making sure they won’t be caught out of guard if their latest addition to the blueline doesn’t perform as expected. Florida is serious about becoming a modern-day NHL dynasty, and it won’t let any thing to chance.

Extending Marchand, Ekblad, and Bennett was only the first step in that direction. The front office has done its job and can relax over the summer. There will be plenty of time to put in extra hours during the regular season and as the trade deadline approaches.

For now, the Cats can sit back. Still, the rest of the NHL should stay on the lookout. The Panthers might pounce on any opportunity to further bolster their lineup. That is, if there’s even room for improvement on a roster featuring the back-to-back Stanley Cup champions.

Just to be safe

As of late, the Panthers have been somewhat quiet. However, they’ve now re-signed Tobias Bjornfot to a two-way, one-year contract. The deal will carry an annual cap hit of $775k.

Bjornfot appeared in 14 games for the Panthers this past season. He played 50 games with AHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers, recording 18 points. He also posted seven points in the postseason, helping the Checkers reach the Calder Cup Final.

With Bjornfot’s extension, Florida makes sure it has options if veteran Jeff Petry can’t fit into the scheme. The 37-year-old veteran is the only change to the team’s projected starting lineup. Such a feat underlines the Cats’ success at keeping the group together.

Injury-riddled

The Panthers might have to weather the storm to start the 2025–26 NHL season. With Matthew Tkachuk battling injuries all year long, Marchand and company are reportedly preparing to see their workload double as the American star could be sidelined until Christmas.

“There’s a possibility that Matthew Tkachuk’s injury may need corrective surgery which could keep him out through the Christmas break,” insider Nick Kypreos stated.

Not their first rodeo

It wouldn’t be the first time the Panthers’ depth is tested early in the season. After losing in the 2023 Stanley Cup Final, the Cats played through the first half of the following season without Aaron Ekblad and Brandon Montour, both of whom weren’t expected back until Christmas. It seems the Panthers have grown fond of the spirit of giving. Why wouldn’t they? They tend to find healthy superstars waiting under the tree every year.

This time around, Tkachuk’s injury might be a blessing in disguise — at the very least, it has a silver lining. Florida is currently over the salary cap. However, placing Tkachuk on long-term injured reserve (LTIR) could bring the Panthers back into compliance.

After their second straight Stanley Cup Final win over the Edmonton Oilers, Zito and the Panthers immediately had reason for concern with the aforementioned players running out of contract. If keeping one or two of them was a challenging task, let alone to bring back all three.

Yet, somehow, Zito worked things out. Bennett was the first to put pen to paper, with Ekblad and Marchand following suit soon on team-friendly deals. With the Cats’ core locked up for the foreseeable, the Panthers GM had another extension to announce.

Panthers re-sign forward Wilmer Skoog

On Thursday, Zito announced that the Panthers are re-signing forward Wilmer Skoog on a one-year, two-way contract. Though not even close to the impact of Marchand, Bennett or Ekblad‘s extensions, this move shows Florida is keeping a long-term vision while maximizing its championship window.

Right now, the Panthers may not expect Skoog to be part of their main roster. Chances are that they allow the 25-year-old to continue developing his skills in the American Hockey League (AHL).

Skoog’s experience with the Panthers’ AHL affiliate

Last season, Skoog racked up 24 points (9-15-24) over 72 appearances with the Charlotte Checkers, the Panthers’ AHL affiliate. He went on to play an important role in the Checkers’ run to the Calder Cup Final with seven points (4-3-7) in 18 postseason games.

Overall, the Swedish prospect boasts 121 AHL regular season appearances in two seasons with Charlotte, boasting 55 points (31-24-55). His extension suggests Zito and the Panthers continue to believe in his potential.

For now, Skoog’s two-way deal means he might stay with the Checkers for a bit longer. According to David Pagnotta and David Dwork, Skoog’s deal will be worth $150K at AHL level, with the possibility of rising to $775K if promoted to the NHL.

The Panthers are preparing for what could be a critical campaign, and the potential absence of Tkachuk introduces early adversity. The star winger played a vital role in the team’s back-to-back championships, including a gutsy playoff run despite serious injury. “There’s a possibility that Matthew Tkachuk’s injury may need corrective surgery which could keep him out through the Christmas break,” Kypreos reported.

Without confirmation on the surgical decision, the team faces weeks of uncertainty. In the meantime, leadership responsibilities may shift to key veterans like Brad Marchand, Sam Bennett, and Aaron Ekblad as Florida aims to maintain its elite form.

What caused Tkachuk’s setback?

The root of Tkachuk’s injury dates back to February 2025, when he suffered a lower-body injury while representing Team USA in the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament. He missed the remainder of that competition and the final stretch of the regular season but returned for the playoffs.

After Florida’s second consecutive Stanley Cup triumph, Tkachuk revealed he had played through a torn adductor muscle and a sports hernia, stating candidly: “I wanted to throw in the towel a bunch of times.” Despite the pain, he led the team with 23 points in 23 playoff games, cementing his status as one of the league’s toughest performers.

Now, with the offseason underway, medical evaluations are reportedly pointing toward surgery as a likely step — a decision that could sideline him through the early months of the new season.

Marchand, Bennett, and Ekblad face increased responsibility

Should Tkachuk miss the first half of the season, the Panthers’ leadership group will need to carry the load. Veteran winger Brad Marchand, acquired in a bold offseason move, will be expected to provide offensive firepower and veteran poise. Sam Bennett, known for his grit and physicality, may take on a bigger role in the top six, while Aaron Ekblad will be tasked with anchoring the blue line and maintaining defensive stability.

Florida opens the 2025–26 season against the Chicago Blackhawks, a high-profile game that would traditionally spotlight Tkachuk alongside the championship banner. Instead, the team may begin its campaign leaning on depth and collective experience — qualities that fueled them through multiple playoff injuries over the last two seasons.

Even without Tkachuk, the Panthers have proven they can weather adversity. However, if the star forward’s recovery extends deep into the schedule, Florida’s hopes of a historic three-peat could be significantly tested.