All articles tagged with #florida panthers
The 2026 NHL season has begun with the Colorado Avalanche leading early power rankings due to a dominant power play, while the Florida Panthers face significant injury setbacks. Meanwhile, trade standoffs involving Connor Hellebuyck and Dylan Larkin continue to create uncertainty for the Winnipeg Jets and Detroit Red Wings.
Florida Panthers forward Brad Marchand suffered a lower-body injury during a 2-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday, leaving the team without its captain and star forward. Marchand exited late in the second period after being high-sticked by Kings defenseman Brandt Clarke and crashing into the post. The Panthers, already missing captain Aleksander Barkov for six to eight weeks due to a similar injury, remain atop the Atlantic Division with a 2-0-2 record. Coach Paul Maurice expects an update on Marchand’s status by Thursday, while the Kings noted their power play struggles contributed to the loss.
Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov was placed on long-term injured reserve (LTIR) on Saturday following a lower-body injury sustained during a 4-3 overtime loss to the San Jose Sharks. The 31-year-old center, who missed the entire 2025-26 season recovering from right knee surgery, suffered the new injury in his second game of the current season. While the exact diagnosis is pending, NHL rules require him to miss at least 10 games and 24 days. Coach Paul Maurice emphasized that the injury is unrelated to Barkov's previous ACL and MCL issues and expressed optimism that it is not season-ending. The Panthers have adjusted their lineup by moving Lars Eller to the top line and recalling players from the AHL to manage the absence and salary cap implications.
Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov was placed on long-term injured reserve after sustaining a left leg injury during a 4-3 overtime loss to the San Jose Sharks. The 31-year-old forward, who missed the entire 2025-26 season recovering from right knee surgery, suffered the new injury while battling for the puck in the second period. Coach Paul Maurice confirmed the injury is unrelated to Barkov's previous right knee issues. The Panthers are hopeful Barkov will return this season, but he is expected to miss at least 10 games. The team added reinforcements to their roster to manage the absence and salary cap implications.
Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov has been placed on long-term injured reserve (LTIR) following a lower-body injury sustained during the team's second game of the 2026-27 season. The 31-year-old center missed the entire previous season due to right knee surgery but returned for the 2026 IIHF World Championship, where he scored 11 points in 10 games for Finland. Barkov left the ice in the second period of a 4-3 overtime loss to the San Jose Sharks on October 1 after an awkward fall. Coach Paul Maurice confirmed the new injury is unrelated to his previous ACL and MCL issues. The LTIR designation allows the Panthers to free up approximately $3.97 million in cap space, enabling them to promote players from the AHL to address a thin forward depth chart.
The San Jose Sharks defeated the Florida Panthers 4-3 in overtime on October 1, 2026, at SAP Center. Will Smith scored two goals and assisted on the winner, while Macklin Celebrini recorded three assists. The Sharks utilized a physical style to overcome a late Panthers rally, marking a strong start for a team aiming to return to the playoffs. Florida captain Aleksander Barkov left the game early due to an injury.
Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov left the ice in the second period of a 4-3 overtime loss to the San Jose Sharks on October 1, 2026, after an awkward fall during a power play. The 31-year-old center, who missed the entire 2025-26 season due to a right knee injury, is expected to undergo an MRI to determine the severity of a new left-leg issue. Coach Paul Maurice confirmed the injury is unrelated to his previous ACL and MCL surgery. If placed on long-term injured reserve, Barkov could miss at least 10 games, significantly impacting the Panthers' early-season momentum and forcing reliance on Sam Bennett and Anton Lundell.
The Carolina Hurricanes begin their 2026-27 season by hosting the Florida Panthers at Lenovo Center on September 29. This matchup pits the defending champions against the team that won the previous two Cups, featuring key roster changes for both clubs. Carolina faces a netting decision between Brandon Bussi and Pyotr Kochetkov, while Florida returns to the ice without Sergei Bobrovsky and Brad Marchand.
Jeffrey Viel ignited the most violent NHL preseason fight of the 2026-27 season against the Florida Panthers, drawing five minutes for fighting and a 10-minute misconduct. The incident underscores the Tampa Bay Lightning's controversial decision to sign Viel to a five-year, $2.5 million contract despite his limited offensive production. While the Panthers won the game 3-2 in a shootout, the Lightning's focus on physicality and depth remains a central debate among analysts.
The Carolina Hurricanes enter the 2026-27 NHL season as the clear favorites, topping preseason power rankings despite uncertainty surrounding goaltending and key free agents. Meanwhile, the Florida Panthers and Washington Capitals are highlighted as teams poised for significant improvement after disappointing previous campaigns, with key roster additions and returning stars expected to boost their point totals.
ESPN announced a three-game NHL opening-night tripleheader on Sept. 29: the banner-raising Hurricanes host the Panthers at 5 p.m. ET, followed by the Boston Bruins vs. New York Rangers at 8 p.m. ET and the Chicago Blackhawks at Vegas Golden Knights at 10:30 p.m. ET; Connor Bedard will miss the Blackhawks game due to shoulder surgery, and ESPN’s coverage will be part of a broader plan with more than 100 nationally televised NHL games across ESPN, ABC, ESPN+ and Hulu under a seven-year rights deal through 2027-28.
Florida Panthers acquire goalie Jacob Markstrom and forward Angus Crookshank from the New Jersey Devils for Evan Rodrigues, Jesper Boqvist, and Ben Steeves, a deal tied to Sergei Bobrovsky’s looming departure and aimed at a cap-friendly, competitive goaltending tandem with Akira Schmid. The move gives New Jersey cap relief and depth with Rodrigues and Boqvist as it pursues a broader retool. Analysts grade Panthers a B and Devils a B+, noting Markstrom’s age and recent form as risk but potential upside and a prudent, market-efficient reshaping of two rosters.
The Anaheim Ducks acquired the rights to right wing A.J. Greer from the Florida Panthers in exchange for the rights to defenseman Radko Gudas. Ducks GM Pat Verbeek praised Gudas and said the team hopes to sign Greer, who posted a career-best 32 points in 2025-26 and helped Florida win the Stanley Cup, as the Ducks look to add depth and leadership moving forward.
Florida Panthers selected six players at the 2026 NHL Draft in Buffalo: Simas Ignatavicius (Forward, Genève-Servette HC, Round 2, 40th), Ryder Cali (Forward, North Bay Battalion, Round 2, 48th), Jonas Kemps (Defenseman, Chicago Steel, Round 4, 98th), Vilho Vanhatalo (Forward, Tappara Tampere, Round 6, 168th), Cole Zurawski (Forward, Owen Sound Attack, Round 6, 181st), and Louis-Antoine Denault (Goaltender, Newfoundland Regiment, Round 7, 217th). Panthers GM Bill Zito said the class fits the team’s mold and should plug in with the roster, with four forwards, one defenseman and one goalie selected, plus notes on NCAA commitments and development camp history.
The Philadelphia Flyers traded Garnet Hathaway and a 2026 sixth-round pick to the Florida Panthers in exchange for a 2026 fifth-round pick and a 2027 fourth-round pick, reshaping their 2026-27 draft board with selections at 21st, 53rd, 136th, and 213rd overall, while Hathaway departs after 11 NHL seasons and 672 games with 163 points.