SUNRISE - The Florida Panthers enter a critical 48-hour window to finalize their 23-man opening-night roster after dropping their final preseason game to the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2 in a shootout Saturday, setting off a wave of waiver decisions that could reshape the team’s depth before Tuesday’s season opener.
All NHL teams must submit their opening rosters by 5 p.m. Monday, and Florida Hockey Now reported that defenseman Toby Bjornfot was among three players waived by the Panthers on Saturday, kicking off what figures to be a busy few days in Sunrise. Ask any coach about the toughest part of the job, Florida Hockey Now noted, “and the likely answer will be to tell a player he did great in training camp but is headed to the AHL.”
The most consequential decision may involve defenseman Donovan Sebrango, acquired last season after Ottawa placed him on waivers when Florida lost Dmitry Kulikov to injury. Sebrango played more games than anticipated due to a succession of defensive injuries and impressed throughout, but he now sits ninth on the depth chart behind Uvis Balinskis and Alexander Petrovic. Given his prior waiver exposure, the Panthers risk losing him outright if they attempt to assign him to the Charlotte Checkers.
Balinskis, also waiver eligible, has earned a spot on the 23-man roster, according to the report. Veterans Petrovic and Bjornfot must clear waivers before any AHL assignment. Mikulas Hovorka, along with several younger defenders in camp, can be sent to Charlotte without waiver exposure.
At forward, Brad Marchand’s injury opens a lineup spot for Sandis Vilmanis, who is expected to slot alongside Anton Lundell and Eetu Luostarinen. The fourth line appears set with veterans Lars Eller and Garnett Hathaway, both acquired specifically for that role. With Jonah Gadjovich still on injured reserve, Cole Reinhardt holds what Florida Hockey Now described as the inside track on the final fourth-line spot after impressing since Vegas waived him late last season. Reinhardt would almost certainly be claimed if the Panthers tried to send him to the AHL.
GM Bill Zito signed Cole Schwindt to a new two-year, one-way contract, a structure that may allow Schwindt to slip through waivers since any claiming team would assume the full deal. Training camp surprise Boko Imama and depth signing Sam Laffery - who has played for six prior NHL organizations - are both waiver-eligible and face uncertain fates. Younger forwards Gracyn Sawchyn, Jack Devine, and Hunter St. Martin can be assigned to Charlotte without risk.
In goal, Cooper Black and Kirill Gerasimyuk are both waiver exempt, leaving the Panthers secure at the position.
Florida opens the 2026-27 season Tuesday at 5 p.m. against the Carolina Hurricanes at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C., on ESPN. The Panthers hold a 2-0 all-time postseason record against Carolina, having eliminated the Hurricanes in the 2023 and 2025 Eastern Conference Finals, though Carolina leads the all-time regular-season series 75-50-11 with 11 ties. Florida’s next home games against Carolina are scheduled for Jan. 21 and March 10.