The Florida Panthers are not going to the Stanley Cup Playoffs this season. After three straight appearances in the Stanley Cup Final, and two straight Cups, Florida will head for an early offseason. And it could be an offseason rife with changes, both on the ice and off it.
Bill Zito is one of the best general managers in the game. He is likely safe despite the poor results on the ice. However, the front office he has built could lose key figures. For instance, assistant GM Sunny Mehta figures to be a top candidate for GM openings around the league. He has been strongly connected to his former team, the New Jersey Devils, for instance. Other assistants, such as Brett Peterson and Roberto Luongo, could also be on teams’ radars.
On the ice, there are some key players who will be returning. Captain Aleksander Barkov will return next season following a torn ACL. Others, such as Matthew Tkachuk, Dmitry Kulikov, and Brad Marchand, figure to hit the ice next season fully healthy. However, there is change expected elsewhere on the roster.
Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky is a free agent on July 1. He had a rough performance this season, currently holding the second-worst Goals Saved Above Average tally in the league. His future, not just with Florida, is very much up in the air as the season draws to a close.
Bobrovsky is not the only potential departure, either. The Panthers will have some flexibility, but as much as the rest of the league. When factoring in the anticipated rise this summer, Florida projects to have about $13.1 million in available space, according to PuckPedia.
The Panthers believe they can compete in 2026-27. But they may need to be a bit creative on the trade market if that is the case. With this in mind, here are two potential trade candidates that could be on the move this offseason.
An Evan Rodrigues trade gives Panthers breathing room
Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
Trade rumors are nothing new for Evan Rodrigues. The Panthers forward has dealt with them all season long. The veteran pivot was not traded at the NHL Trade Deadline this year, but that could change this summer.
Florida has one notable player to re-sign, with Mackie Samoskevich set to hit restricted free agency. A new deal for the former first-round pick may not be all that expensive relative to his peers. However, with only $13 million available to work with, that contract could eat a bit into their plans for the summer.
Trading Rodrigues likely wouldn’t be too difficult for the Panthers. The veteran center has proven to be a big-time postseason performer. In fact, he was a legitimate candidate for the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2024. A contending team needing depth down the middle certainly would be interested in his services.
This would be a tough move for Zito and his front office. However, it may be necessary to help them achieve all of their goals. Whether he is traded in a cap dump, or included in a larger deal, Rodrigues is a logical trade candidate for the Panthers.
Anton Lundell may be centerpiece to blockbuster trade
The Panthers have been the NHL’s model organization for some time now. But they have an aging roster that is banged up. As a result, it would make sense for Florida to try to hold onto a player like Anton Lundell. At the same time, though, the former first-round pick may be the ticket for Florida swinging a blockbuster trade.
Lundell received more ice time this season than he has in previous years. He played well, scoring 18 goals and 44 points this season. He has not played since March 19th, though, due to a rib injury.
At 24 years old, Lundell certainly can be a part of Florida’s future. But the Panthers own one of the least inspiring prospect pipelines in the league. Forward Jack Devine has value as a projected NHLer. Outside of him, though, there isn’t much to write home about.
With this in mind, if the Panthers want to swing a big deal, Lundell may be a necessary component. His $5 million cap hit would help offset any salary constraints. And he would be an immediate, long-term middle-six presence for many rebuilding or retooling franchises.
The Florida Panthers are not going to the Stanley Cup Playoffs this season. After three straight appearances in the Stanley Cup Final, and two straight Cups, Florida will head for an early offseason. And it could be an offseason rife with changes, both on the ice and off it. Bill Zito is one of the best general managers in the game.