SUNRISE, Fla. \u2014 NHL free agency kicked off Wednesday with a flurry of activity, including multiple transactions by the Florida Panthers. <\/p>\n
The team agreed to terms with three members of last year’s club while also beefing up their blueline, adding a player familiar to South Florida hockey fans.<\/p>\n
Panthers acquire veteran goaltender Jacob Markstrom<\/p>\n
>> Read more Panthers news here<\/a><\/p>\n General Manager Bill Zito announced that the Cats agreed to terms with defenseman Radko Gudas, 36, of the Anaheim Ducks on a six-year contract. Gudas, a native of Czechia, is making a return to Sunrise, skating for the Panthers from 2020-21 to 2022-23.<\/p>\n “Radko is a proven, experienced leader and a strong, reliable defensive presence for our blueline,” Zito said in a statement. “He is keenly familiar with our team, having been a big part of our first run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2023, and we are thrilled to welcome Radko and his family back to South Florida.”<\/p>\n Gudas appeared in 56 games with the Ducks last season, logging 13 points and leading the Ducks with 164 hits.<\/p>\n Florida also announced Wednesday new deals for forwards Eetu Luostarinen<\/a>, Sandis Vilmanis<\/a> and Cole Schwindt.<\/a><\/p>\n Luostarinen, 27, a member of the team’s two Stanley Cup victories, signed an eight-year contract extension through 2034-35. He skated in 73 games with Florida last season while compiling 33 points.<\/p>\n “A key piece of our two Stanley Cups, I am thrilled that Eetu will continue his career with the Panthers,” Zito said in a statement. “A consummate professional who is committed to being a difference maker at both ends of the ice, his work at even strength and on the penalty kill is critical to our team success in South Florida.”<\/p>\n Luostarinen, a member of the Cats since 2020, earned a bronze medal representing Finland in this year’s Olympic Winter Games in Milan.<\/p>\n Vilmanis, 22, agreed to a two-year contract extension with Florida after appearing in 19 games last season. He also represented Latvia at the Olympics.<\/p>\n “Sandis is a skilled, competitive young player whose positive attitude and strong work ethic have allowed him to succeed at every opportunity he has earned,” Zito said in a statement. “He continues to take real strides in his game, and we’re proud that he has committed to a further two years in South Florida.”<\/p>\n Schwindt, 25, also agreed to a two-year contract with Florida after skating in 29 games with the Panthers last season, tallying seven points. <\/p>\n The team bid farewell to both longtime goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, 37, after seven seasons and left wing AJ Greer, 29, after two seasons. <\/p>\n Bobrovsky is heading north of the border to mind the net for the Toronto Maple Leafs, signing a three-year contract.<\/p>\n Greer is trading South Florida for Southern California, signing a four-year contract with the Ducks. He had a career season with the Panthers in 2025-26, recording 17 goals and 15 assists.<\/p>\n