However, the American and Canadians must put it all behind them—or at least set is aside. The 2025-26 NHL season has resumed, and the Florida Panthers must change the course if they want to stay alive in the Eastern Conference’s jam-packed postseason race.

On that note, Tkachuk voiced a clear message for the rest of the team, one that may serve as a reminder for Marchand, Bennett, and Reinhart. “We have to flip the switch,” Tkachuk stated, per @JamesonCoop on X.

Obviously, it’s somewhat easy for Tkachuk to say such a thing after winning gold along his brother Brady and the rest of Team USA. For his teammates, especially those who fell just short, it’s definitely not.

Marchand can chase another trophy

For Marchand, who likely played in his first and last Olympics, flipping the switch is not an easy thing. In doing so, the 37-year-old veteran would be accepting that his pursuit for an Olympic gold medal has come to an end. However, Marchand’s chapter with Team Canada may have more in store.

While making the Stanley Cup Playoffs with the Panthers is the clear goal for Marchand and company after the break, there is a silver lining for the veteran in the event they miss the postseason. The 2026 IIHF World Championship will be held in Switzerland from May 15–31. While the rest of the NHL competes for the Stanley Cup, players on teams whose seasons have ended can be called upon to represent their countries.

For Marchand, who has repeatedly stated how much he embraces every opportunity to compete for trophies and represent Canada, it may be an unsurpassable chance to don the Maple Leaf sweater once more. Obviously, he would much rather be playing meaningful NHL hockey in late May, but at least he may not come away empty-handed if Florida cannot complete a miraculous late-season turnaround to reach the playoffs.

Are the Panthers on a playoff spot?

Coming out of the Olympic break, the reigning back-to-back Stanley Cup champions sit in last place in the Atlantic Division with 61 points in 57 games. The Panthers are eight points back of the final wild-card spot, currently held by the Boston Bruins with 69 points.

Needless to say, the Cats will need all hands on deck. Thus, the Panthers hinting the return of two Stanley Cup champions could be just what the doctor ordered for Tkachuk, Marchand, Bennett, and company to pick up the pace and go on a red-hot run to close out the regular season.

Perhaps Tkachuk’s gold medal and the chip on the shoulders of Marchand, Bennett, and Reinhart are exactly what the Panthers need to emerge from the break fully recharged.

With Jonah Gadjovich and Sam Bennett uncertain to play when the Panthers take on the Anaheim Ducks on Nov. 4, Maurice addressed their status with a clear update for Marchand and the rest of the team to hear.

“Bennett is fine, per Paul Maurice,” as reported by Miami Herald’s Jordan McPherson on X. “Jonah Gadjovich not traveling [with the team], but Maurice said an update on him would come Wednesday.”

What happened to Bennett and Gadjovich?

Bennett wasn’t on the ice for the Panthers practice on Monday morning, raising alarms around Broward County. With the Cats scheduled to board the cross-country flight to California after practice, many were worried Bennett might be unable to join the team on the upcoming road trip. However, it seems the Conn Smythe Trophy winner was only taking a rest and is good to go.

Gadjovich, on the other hand, remains sidelined with an upper-body injury. Maurice announced that the 27-year-old will be out for at least a week, which would have made him eligible to return for the matchup against the Ducks at Honda Center. However, not only will Gadjovich miss the team’s second meeting with Anaheim, but he also won’t travel with the squad for their upcoming road games against the Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks, and Vegas Golden Knights.

Setting the tone

As the Panthers pack their bags for a crucial West Coast road trip, they’ll look to keep their momentum rolling. Riding a three-game point streak, Marchand and the Cats hope to harvest some much-needed points in a tough region. Traveling from the Sunshine State to the Golden State is no easy task—the coast-to-coast flight can take its toll, and the Panthers have frequently been caught flat-footed in California. Mostly, though, when facing the Kings on the road.

Safety in the numbers

For all the success Florida has enjoyed against Anaheim—just miles from the City of Angels—the Cats have struggled to solve the Los Angeles Kings. The Panthers are 16-27-3 all time versus the Kings, marking their second-worst winning percentage (38%) against any NHL opponent.

When Marchand, Bennett, and company walk into Crypto.com Arena, they’ll be looking to snap a six-year hex. The last time Florida won in L.A. was back in March 2019. Aaron Ekblad is the only current Panther who was on that roster, while Aleksander Barkov—who also played in that game—remains on LTIR and will miss the trip to La-La Land.

Conversely, the Sharks and Ducks are the two teams Florida holds its best winning percentages against—62% and 57.6%, respectively. That’s excluding the Utah Mammoth, whom the Cats have faced only twice—and defeated as many times. The Panthers haven’t lost in San Jose since November 2015, and Florida is currently riding a six-year win-streak over the Ducks in Anaheim, with its last defeat being on March 2019.

Mackie Samoskevich is expected to take a big jump during the 2025-26 NHL season. The former first round pick in 2021 played a big role last season but was mostly healthy scratched in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Now, the 22-year-old is determined to prove he belongs on the Panthers‘ lineup no matter the stakes.

Bennett knows just how productive Samoskevich can be on the ice, as the two were linemates through many stretches of the past campaign. However, the young talent is still a bit wet behind the ears, and the experienced centerman issued an honest comment about him.

“Mackie looks really good right now,” Sam Bennett said during the Panthers’ media day ahead of training camp’s start. “Once he realizes how good he can be, it’s gonna make him that much better of a player.”

New number, who this?

In a shocking turn of events, Samoskevich will don a new jersey number for the 2025-26 NHL season. Number changes are nothing unusual in the league, so that alone wasn’t the surprise in Florida. What caught everyone off guard was Samoskevich’s decision to take the vacant No. 11 sweater.

Jonathan Huberdeau was the last Panther to wear the number, and it had remained vacant since the Cats shipped him to Calgary for Matthew Tkachuk in the biggest trade of the decade.

Doing it justice

Many in Sunrise believed the jersey might eventually be retired by the franchise, but Mackie putting it on almost certainly means it won’t be heading into the rafters—at least not with Huberdeau’s name on the back.

While fans were taken aback with the jersey change, the players seem to have no problem whatsoever with Samoskevich’s decision. Captain Aleksander Barkov, who was very close with Huberdeau, even spoke on the topic himself with a special remark. “Must be the number,” Barkov said when talking about Samoskevich’s growth and how he looked on the ice.

There are endless possibilities when it comes to naming the best player on the Panthers. Or the best on any given category, for what it’s worth. The trio of Tkachuk, Marchand, and Bennett could take home almost every honor, but they could walk out empty-handed, as well. That’s how ridiculously stacked the Cats in Sunrise are.

After back-to-back Stanley Cups , it’s safe to say the NHL has taken notice of what’s brewing in South Florida. As the Panthers in the Sunshine State continues to run away with Lord Stanley, the league is officially on dynasty-watch alert.

Opposing head coaches have headaches planning for the Panthers. There are simply too many players they must be wary of. It’s nearly impossible to neutralize them, especially come playoff time. However, the Cats have been under duress some times before, yet they’ve somehow, someway walked away in one piece.

According to Stanley Cup champion and analyst Mike Rupp, the player who can shift momentum and steer Florida out of harm’s way is none other than Sam Reinhart—not Tkachuk, Marchand, or current Conn Smythe Trophy winner Bennett.

The go-to Panther when the going gets tough

“It’s funny because we’ve covered the finals for these guys for a while. And when they need something, the guy you think of that can change the game with one touch of the puck on his stick is Sam Reinhart. And that’s no knock [on the rest of the players],” Rupp said, via NHL Network.

“I think Aleksander Barkov is a better player. But the point is, [Reinhart] is a game changer. He knows to find that spot, whether it’s on the power play or that soft area on the ice, between coverage. And it just has to be there one second, and it’s in the back of the net. I think that’s the one thing that jumps out to me is when you need a big moment, I feel like Sam Reinhart is your guy.“

Stats don’t lie

In a team known for showing up and stepping up when the tide gets rough, Reinhart still manages to stand out. His production in recent crucial moments is proof of that. Just look at his game-winning goal in Game 7 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final, or his four-goal night in the cup-clinching Game 6 in 2025. When Florida needs a hero, Reinhart is often among the first to raise his hand.

Since arriving in Florida in 2021, Reinhart has unlocked a whole new level to his game. He now boasts 26 game-winning goals (30 including the postseason), 4 overtime winners, and 10 shorthanded goals. With the Panthers, Reinhart has recorded 324 regular-season points (160 goals and 164 assists), along with 56 postseason points (32 goals and 24 assists).

It must be something in the water down in Sunrise—or the Cats simply saw potential where the rest of the NHL didn’t. Now, the league is paying the price, while Reinhart enjoys the perks of signing an eight-year, $69 million extension with the Panthers.

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.

Appearing on the Empty Netters podcast, Bennett pulled back the curtain on how the rumor sparked an eruption of wild speculation, all thanks to Matthew Tkachuk’s mischief in the team’s group chat.

“We were all freaking out, trying to figure it out. It probably took like an hour until we finally figured out what it was for,” Bennett said. “Yeah, that was wild.”

How did the Panthers players learn about the Brad Marchand trade?

According to Bennett, it started with some low-level rumors — whispers, nothing official. Then, Tkachuk decided to stir the pot, firing off a message to the group chat claiming the team had just traded for “Marshy.” What followed was stunned silence, quickly replaced by frenzied speculation.

Players began texting each other, wondering what the team had given up. At one point, some even feared they’d lost key pieces like Sam Reinhart in the deal. But as it turned out, Tkachuk was just trolling them. He had no insider information — just a sense of humor and perfect timing.

Bennett reflects on representing Canada

Bennett also spoke about a much more serious highlight of his season: representing Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off. His performance was critical, scoring the game-tying goal in the final against Team USA.

“It’s the greatest honor,” Bennett said. “You could just feel the emotion from the fans.” Connor McDavid would go on to seal the victory in overtime, but Bennett’s contribution helped spark the gold-medal comeback.

At the moment, McDavid is at the center of many rumors about his future, as he’s set to become a free agent at the end of the 2025-2026 season. The Oilers’ performance will definitely play a major role in shaping his decision.

On the other side, the Panthers kept their core group intact with Brad Marchand, Aaron Ekblad, and Sam Bennett. The strong work of general manager Bill Zito has positioned them as favorites to make history with a three-peat.

When will Oilers play against Panthers in Stanley Cup rematch?

The Edmonton Oilers and Connor McDavid will face Brad Marchand and the Florida Panthers on the road on November 22 in their first meeting since the Stanley Cup Final.

The second regular-season matchup between these two teams is scheduled for March 19. By then, the playoff picture will be much clearer following the trade deadline and the aftermath of the Milan-Cortina Olympic Games.

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.

Evan Rodrigues, who has two years remaining on his contract at a cap hit of $3 million per season, has emerged in recent weeks as the most likely candidate to be moved in order to help relieve Florida’s salary cap pressure.

The extensions for Bennett, Marchand, and Ekblad addressed the Panthers’ top priorities quickly, preventing the complications of negotiating with all three stars during the offseason, a stage when they would have had the freedom to leave for other franchises. In this context, the collateral cost seems to center on Rodrigues.

Will Rodrigues stay with the Panthers?

“He wants to be there, they want him there; I think they want to make Evan Rodrigues work there,” said NHL insider Jeff Marek on the Sekeres and Price show. His report suggests that the player’s intention is to stay in Florida.

However, what a team wants isn’t always attainable. After the extensions for Marchand, Bennett, and Ekblad, the Panthers’ financial limitations could force a move. As things stand, the final decision rests with general manager Bill Zito, who must balance the desire to keep the back-to-back championship core intact.

Potential landing spots for Rodrigues

The list of possible destinations includes teams like Vancouver, Toronto, the Colorado Avalanche, Detroit Red Wings, and Minnesota Wild. The Canucks are very interested, looking for an experienced second-line center and holding attractive assets. At the same time, the Avalanche and Red Wings have also emerged as potential suitors, taking advantage of their available cap space and looking to add veteran depth.

The Panthers have hoisted back-to-back Stanley Cups and yet are showing no signs of slowing down. After re-signing Marchand, Ekblad, and Bennett for the long-haul, the Cats voiced a stern message to the rest of the NHL: try and stop us.

No one wants to come across these Panthers when the Stanley Cup Playoffs get underway. Florida is built to win. With the likes of Tkachuk, Marchand, Bennett, and others, the Cats boast a lineup filled with talents who perform at their best when the playoffs get underway.

There must be something in the water in South Florida. Whatever it is, the Panthers see no reason to change their recipe. Tkachuk, Bennett, and company are determined to chase NHL history — and they have every reason to believe they can achieve it.

If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it

“Playing down in Florida, and being able to live there and see the support of the fans, I don’t want to leave. Nobody wants to leave,” Tkachuk said in dialogue with NHL Network. “That’s why we’ve created something so special down there.

“We’re able to keep players, because why would you want to leave that? And we’re able to attract players that want to be a part of a great culture, which I think is one of the best in the league. If not the best.”

Stargazing

While the math is definitely not on their side, the Panthers might have one last trick up their sleeves. The Pittsburgh Penguins are actively looking to part ways with some of their best assets, and defenseman Erik Karlsson might become available for the right price. On that note, an insider believes Florida holds the best odds to acquire the former All-Star.

“[Karlsson has] always been attached to the Panthers,” insider Jeff Marek said, via The Sheet. “Every year it was ‘Panthers are interested in Karlsson’. I don’t know if it’s going to happen, but if he’s going to move somewhere, maybe throw a dart there.”

Raining on Florida’s parade

While there is history between the two parties, it feels more like a fever dream than a realistic possibility for the Cats. Florida is currently $3.725M over the NHL’s salary cap. Karlsson has two years remaining on the eight-year, $92M deal he signed in 2019, which carries an annual cap hit of $11.5M.

Plus, with Ekblad, Forsling, and Jones inked for the long-haul, there seems to be little reason for the Panthers to pursue another star to their blueline. It would take an out-of-this-world effort from Bill Zito and the Panthers to make ends meet. It seems like a lofty task, even for Florida.