FORT LAUDERDALE — The Florida Panthers announced a 51-player training camp roster Tuesday night, adding forward Nathan Bastian as the lone professional tryout invitee ahead of a compressed two-week camp that begins Thursday at the Iceplex.
Bastian, 28, spent last season with the Dallas Stars and their AHL affiliate in Texas, posting 6 goals and an assist in 36 games at the NHL level. He has appeared in 312 NHL games, mostly with the New Jersey Devils, who drafted him in the second round in 2016. Florida Hockey Now reported that Bastian should compete for a spot on the Panthers’ bottom six.
The roster breaks down to 30 forwards, 16 defensemen and 5 goaltenders. With the first preseason game set for Sunday against the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh and the regular-season opener scheduled for Sept. 29 at Carolina at 5 p.m. on ESPN, the Panthers have little runway to evaluate roster hopefuls.
Thursday’s opening sessions — scheduled for 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. — are closed to the public. Practices on Friday and Saturday will be open, and the Panthers will host a Fan Fest at the Iceplex on Saturday.
Florida’s four-game preseason slate begins Sunday. The 2026-27 home opener is set for Oct. 10 against the Minnesota Wild at 6 p.m.