FORT LAUDERDALE — The Florida Panthers enter the NHL free agency window with about $15 million in salary cap space and a blue line that, despite heavy injury losses last season, may need only depth additions before the franchise pursues another Stanley Cup run.
Florida Hockey Now reported that the Panthers’ top two defensive pairings are set heading into the offseason: Gus Forsling and Aaron Ekblad return as the top pair, with Niko Mikkola and Seth Jones anchoring the second. Dmitry Kulikov and Uvis Balinskis could run it back on the third pairing, with waiver pickup Donovan Sebrango — a restricted free agent — also in the mix.
The bigger roster question in Sunrise centers on goaltending, with Sergei Bobrovsky set to walk as a free agent when the market opens July 1. A significant portion of that $15 million in cap room will be consumed by two goaltenders and a new contract for restricted free agent forward Mackie Samoskevich, leaving the Panthers unlikely to pursue top-tier defensive free agents.
Instead, general manager Bill Zito’s front office is expected to target veterans willing to sign prove-it deals around $1 million — the same approach that previously brought Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Nate Schmidt, and Jeff Petry to South Florida on one-year, discounted contracts. Among the names Florida Hockey Now identified as potential fits: Radko Gudas of Anaheim, Erik Gudbranson of Columbus, and Brett Kulak, a 32-year-old free agent who made almost $3 million last season. Andrew Peeke, a right-handed shot from Parkland who was drafted by Columbus when Zito worked there and knows Panthers executive Gregory Campbell well, could also be a hometown option.
Last season’s injury toll underscored the need for organizational depth. Jones and Kulikov missed substantial stretches, while Mikkola, Ekblad, Balinskis, and Forsling all dealt with injuries at various points. The wave of call-ups, however, gave several AHL prospects meaningful NHL exposure. Mike Benning played in 18 games and looked strong in the final weeks after three seasons in the system following his time at the University of Denver. Marek Alscher, a third-round pick in 2022, did not look out of place in limited action and represented Czechia at the World Championship. Mikulas Hovorka and Ludvig Jansson also received NHL time and will compete for roster spots.
The Panthers also hold the ninth-overall pick in the upcoming draft, set for June 26-27 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, with seven picks overall. While Florida could select a defenseman, an 18-year-old cracking a Stanley Cup-caliber roster remains a long shot. Zito’s front office may also wait for new names to hit the market through buyouts before July 1 — the same route that made Ekman-Larsson and Schmidt available in prior years.
Panthers Development Camp is scheduled for late June or early July at the IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale, with training camp opening in early-to-mid September and the 2026-27 NHL season beginning in late September.