Tkachuk, who played through multiple injuries during Florida’s deep playoff run last season, underwent offseason surgery to repair a torn hip abductor and hernia. While timelines remain fluid, Zito indicated the team doesn’t expect him back until late in the calendar year.

“Matthew Tkachuk should be out until December — but don’t hold me to that,” Zito said, as reported by George Richards on “X.” Nosek, meanwhile, will be sidelined long-term following a separate offseason injury. “Months, for sure,” Zito added.

How will Florida adapt without Tkachuk and Nosek?

With both forwards unavailable, the Panthers will rely heavily on depth players and younger talent. Evan Rodrigues, Jesper Boqvist, and newcomer Luke Kunin are expected to see increased ice time, while veteran winger Tyler Motte, attending camp on a professional tryout (PTO), is looking to earn a spot in the bottom six.

What’s next for the Panthers?

The Panthers open the 2025–26 season on October 7 against the Chicago Blackhawks, and the early schedule will test the team’s roster without Matthew Tkachuk and Tomas Nosek. With a mix of strong opponents and a demanding road stretch, Florida will need immediate contributions from its depth forwards to build momentum early.

Panthers fans don’t really like when the team’s location is referred as Miami. Still, the organization holds connections with the rest of sport franchises in the region. Now, Tkachuk and Zito are looking out for the Miami Dolphins, hoping to help them right the ship in the NFL.

As reported, the Panthers’ duo visited the Dolphins’ facilities in Miami Gardens and talked directly with general manager Chris Grier, who is gearing up for a crucial 2025 NFL season.

Winning is sharing

“Chris Grier says Panthers GM Bill Zito and star Matthew Tkachuk came and talked to them about keys to winning, players being together, and what it takes to win. And yes, they had the Stanley Cup with them during the visit,” reporter Will Manso stated on his X account.

Needless to say, the Dolphins haven’t come anywhere near the success the Panthers have. While the Cats have lost only one playoff series in the last three years, the Fins haven’t won a postseason game in almost a quarter-century. Miami’s last playoff win was in 2000.

New brass

The NHL‘s action on the ice might seem chaotic and anarchic, yet the Panthers have found peace in it. When Tkachuk and company hit the ice, it truly is poetry in motion. However, the same can’t be said about the organization’s front-office status. It’s been chaotic, to say the least.

After Chief Operating Officer (COO) Bryce Hollweg and Chief Revenue Office (CRO) Shawn Thornton left the organization on the crest of a wave, the Panthers announced their replacements. “Rob Stevenson has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer and Mark Zarthar has been promoted to Chief Revenue Officer,” as stated by @FlaPanthers on X.

It may look like chaos has hit the fan in Sunrise, but if there’s one thing that can never be taken for granted, it’s Florida’s resilience. After all, the Cats always land on their feet, and Tkachuk’s crew is no exception.

The Panthers may have run into trouble in paradise after hoisting the team’s second Stanley Cup back in June. Now, Zito and company will be without a key name within the brass in Sunrise, Florida. However, just like with the key departures on the roster, it seems the Cats in Broward County always manage to land on their feet.

As reported by The Hockey News, the Panthers have parted ways with Chief Operating Officer (COO) Bryce Hollweg. Hollweg had been in Florida since 2021, when he arrived as Executive Vice-President.

Moving on

While a big absence, the Panthers know better than to cry over spilled milk. What’s done is done. That has definitely been a recurring thought for the Cats, who are always looking forward.

Even after consecutive Stanley Cup conquests, the Panthers in the Sunshine State have set their sights ahead. Now, it’s about going for the three-peat. On paper, Florida is in the best position to complete the trifecta. The rest of the NHL is hoping to dethrone the Cardiac Cats in Sunrise, but that’s a task much easier said than done.

Because of course

With the objective for the 2025-26 NHL season crystal clear, the Panthers are gearing up for training camp in September. On that note, Zito and company are making the final tweaks to the lineup. And as it couldn’t have been any other way, another player with a Columbus Blue Jackets background has now joined the reigning champs.

Former 15th overall pick in the 2016 NHL Draft, Luke Kunin, has signed a one-year, $775K contract with the Panthers. Kunin arrives in South Florida fresh off a short stint with the Blue Jackets. Traded by the San Jose Sharks to the Discovery City during last season’s trade deadline, Kunin is now joining the league’s apex predators.

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 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.

“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.”

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.

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.

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.

During a special appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, Zito acknowledged that the new CBA could pose major challenges in trying to keep the team a permanent Stanley Cup contender.

“There’s a number of things, sort of technical things contract-wise that may or may not impact us. The season could go to 84 games. That’s something that would obviously impact us. We started to address next season already. We’ve gone to the finals three years in a row. How tired are these guys going to be? What can we do? Well, maybe they’re not. Let’s just not assume they are. What could we do to lessen the load physically and emotionally? We’ve already started to modify our training camp. We’re going to do that differently.”

Who did Florida Panthers sign?

The Florida Panthers signed Brad Marchand, Sam Bennett, and Aaron Ekblad to key contract extensions. In addition, they already have Anton Lundell, Aleksander Barkov, Gustav Forsling, Carter Verhaeghe, Sam Reinhart, and Matthew Tkachuk locked in through 2030.

Despite certain obstacles the new CBA could bring in the future, Zito issued a clear warning to the NHL. The upside of what’s coming is the increase in the salary cap, which, with your stars already signed, could give you the opportunity to make other important moves.

That’s why the Collective Bargaining Agreement could give the Panthers the flexibility they need to stay on top. “That’s going to help us. It will give us flexibility as we have more cap space to supplement and help that core.”

Now, the team not only has its core group locked in through 2030, but, thanks to the strategic long-term approach crafted by Zito, it also has six other key players secured in Florida for at least six more years. This is a remarkable feat.

Now, the Panthers are once again favorites to win the Stanley Cup and achieve a historic three-peat in the NHL. In response to the praise he’s received, Zito spoke once again about how he managed to get his stars to sign.

Is Brad Marchand staying with the Panthers?

Brad Marchand is staying with the Florida Panthers after signing a six-year, $32 million contract extension. His teammates Sam Bennett and Aaron Ekblad also received new deals.

During an interview on The Pat McAfee Show, Bill Zito reiterated how it was possible to pull off all these moves and once again gave credit to his players for their commitment to the franchise.

“It’s really the guys. It has very little to do with me. They wanted to stay. I think they appreciated each other. They appreciated the opportunity that they have. I do think that they appreciate all that the coaching staff and ownership does to allow us to try to do things the right way. Ultimately, they’re staying because of them and because of their teammates. That’s really the only reason. It does make you feel good to be able to have the privilege to be part of it.”

The NHL is officially on dynasty watch when it comes to the Panthers. The window is wide open for Florida to add more Stanley Cups to its trophy cabinet. Marchand, Ekblad, Bennett, Tkachuk, and many others are here to stay—and that’s more than enough to excite the fanbase.

The Sunshine State is enjoying its best summers in the NHL. The Cats are a wagon—a team no one wants to face in the postseason. However, the odds suggest that to win it all, teams will have to get past the reigning back-to-back champions.

It felt like Zito and the Panthers’ biggest challenge would be the NHL’s salary cap, but the Cats worked their magic and beat the odds by re-signing Marchand, Ekblad, and Bennett. While they dodged a big bullet, the job’s not finished—and Florida is well aware it’s in for a rollercoaster season, where the financial side of the puck might come back to bite at any moment.

“We’re gonna be right at the cap this year and it’s gonna be tight,” Bill Zito said during an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show. “Our core is locked up until 2030 and with the cap going up we’ll be able to make additions.”

The Core 10

Teams in the NHL usually build a core of about three to four players. The Panthers do things differently, as they’ve established a foundation of ten stars. And they are staying in Sunrise for a very long time, which can only spell trouble for the rest of the league.

The following are all under contract at least until the 2030 free agency: Matthew Tkachuk, Aleksander Barkov, Sam Reinhart, Carter Verhaeghe, Brad Marchand, Aaron Ekblad, Anton Lundell, Seth Jones, Gustav Forsling, and Sam Bennett.

Welcome aboard!

The Panthers are determined to build on their recent success, aiming to complete a three-peat. No team has won three straight Stanley Cups since the New York Islanders captured four in a row from 1980 to 1983. In hopes of making history in the salary cap era, Florida has added key pieces to its puzzle.

In addition to the extensions handed to Marchand, Bennett, Ekblad, and Tomas Nosek, the Cats have signed: Jack Studnicka, Daniil Tarasov, Brandon Bussi, Kirill Geramsiyuk, and Nolan Foote.

Thanks for the memories

Obviously, hoisting consecutive Stanley Cups came at a price for the Panthers and they were forced to let go some key players. Among the most important departures, the Cats have waved goodbye to: Nate Schmidt (Utah), Vitek Vanecek (Utah), Nico Sturm (Minnesota), and Jaycob Megna (Vegas).

Not satisfied after completing the perfect trifecta of pending free agents, Zito has now turned to the open NHL market to fill voids on the roster—that is, if a team coming off back-to-back Stanley Cups can actually have gaps to fill..

Since Zito took over as GM in the Sunshine State, every time the Panthers sign a player, the rest of the NHL wonders if they’ve missed something all along. It’s a recipe for success, the Cats see potential where many see an empty glass. Whereas many viewed Marchand as entering the twilight of his career, Florida traded for him and were pleased with the results.

Now, the Panthers have no interest in watching Marchand walk away from Sunrise. Zito handed him a six-year extension which will run through the 2030-31 season, when Marchand will be 43. In hopes of rewarding Marchand even further, and strengthening the team’s depth, they have now signed an UFA who previously played in Boston with Marchand.

“We’ve agreed to terms with forward Jack Studnicka on a one-year, two-way contract,” the Florida Panthers announced on their social media accounts.

Depth monsters

While the two-way contract indicates the Panthers might send Studnicka to the AHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers, the former second-round pick in the 2017 Draft could rise to the NHL lineup.

Studnicka spent the entire 2024-25 season in the minors, playing for the LA Kings’ affiliate, the Ontario Reign. He registered 45 points (16 goals and 29 assists) in 72 appearances. The 26-year-old played four seasons with Marchand’s Bruins, although he only appeared in 38 games during that span, recording only 7 points.

Hoping to establish himself in the big leagues, Studnicka will reunite with Marchand in a dream scenario. Florida and Zito simply love underdog stories, and this could definitely be one.

The good, the bad, and the ugly

While Studnicka’s signing might be a pleasant surprise for Marchand, the Panthers have also announced the signing of one veteran who the former Bruins captain might not be thrilled to become friends with.

As announced by insider Elliotte Friedman, 37-year-old blueliner Jeff Petry has signed with the Panthers on a one-year deal at a league-minimum salary. The Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the NHL and NHLPA set the minimum at $800,000.

Petry and Marchand have been fierce enemies, having led the Montreal Canadiens and Boston Bruins, respectively, into battle time and again. Then intertwined in one of the NHL’s most intense rivalries, they will share locker rooms now. Petry and Marchand have to set their animosity aside next season—something the latter has shown he’s capable of doing.

However, Zito admitted that he shouldn’t get all the credit for these extensions. Instead, the Panthers GM claims that Marchand, Ekblad, and Bennett were the ones who made it possible.

“I didn’t. It was those guys. There’s no gray area whatsoever. … It’s those guys wanting to be part of something they created,” Zito said about the new contracts, via Panthers’ Digital Content Manager Jameson Olive.

Bill Zito, Panthers defy the odds again

Shortly after joining the list of back-to-back Stanley Cup champions with their second consecutive victory over the Edmonton Oilers in the final, the attention in Sunrise turned to the Panthers’ upcoming free agents.

Marchand, Bennett, and Ekblad were all running out of contract this summer, and keeping all three of them looked like a difficult task since the Panthers had little wiggle room with their salary cap. Then again, being the two-time defending champion and having a great general manager helps.

How much are the Panthers paying Bennett?

Zito first took care of business with Bennett, handing the 2025 Conn Smythe Trophy winner an eight-year, $64 million contract, which carries $8 million in average annual value.

With the 29-year-old locked in, the Panthers GM moved on to the remaining stars set to hit the open market. It took a while, but Zito pulled it off in an eventful day just hours before the start of free agency.

Ekblad, Marchand take team-friendly deals to stay in Florida

The second star to get a new deal was Ekblad, who accepted an eight-season extension worth $6.1 million per year to stay with the team that selected him first overall in the 2014 NHL entry draft.

When it looked like Ekblad’s deal could cost the Panthers keeping Marchand, the Cats shocked the NHL by handing the veteran star a six-year contract worth just under $32 million, extending his commitment to the Cats till age 43.

The future looks bright in Sunrise

While Zito may not want to take all the credit, it’s hard not to praise him for keeping the Panthers’ core together. Not only did he bring back Bennett, Ekblad, and Marchand this offseason, but he had also secured a number of stars for the foreseeable. These are all the Panthers signed through at least 2030:

• Aleksander Barkov
• Matthew Tkachuk
• Sam Reinhart
• Sam Bennett
• Brad Marchand
• Carter Verhaeghe
• Gustav Forsling
• Anton Lundell
• Aaron Ekblad
• Seth Jones

The Panthers really took their time with their pending free agents. But once they got to work, they completely shook the NHL. In heart-crushing fashion for the rest of the league, Bennett, Ekblad, and Marchand were all taken off the market. Zito and the Cats have sent a powerful message to everyone: they’re just getting started.

Organizations like the Toronto Maple Leafs were already salivating at the thought of signing Marchand, but almost at the buzzer, the Panthers reached an agreement with the veteran. Toronto were reportedly willing to give Marchand a much bigger offer, but the accolades Florida has amassed spoke for themselves.

That’s what you call a rat trick

According to reports from insider Elliotte Friedman, Brad Marchand is closing in on a six-year extension with Florida worth just under $32 million. If accurate, the Panthers would be allocating approximately $5.3 million in cap space annually to Marchand.

Not many believed it could be accomplished. But the Panthers did, and their players showed more than enough willingness to stay in town. Now, the NHL has been really put on notice. A dynasty is brewing in the beaches of Fort Lauderdale, and not even the salary cap seems to be a problem.

Somebody must leave

Panthers fans can’t be bothered with anything other than the incredible feat accomplished by the organization’s front office. Still, there’s a cold fact the Cats must accept: they’ll be over the salary cap and, therefore, will have to part ways with some players to make room.

Evan Rodrigues has been generating buzz lately, as his $3 million cap hit could give Florida some much-needed breathing room. It seems like the obvious move. However, it might not be the only one—many are hinting that RFA Mackie Samoskevich could also be shipped off, as the 22-year-old would be welcomed with open arms by just about any team in the league.