Florida Panthers face NHL draft, goalie questions, and more roster moves

It’s important for every team to have a deep prospect pool. It gives a club leverage to trade, negotiate, and develop talent. But the Panthers’ office knows they must strengthen now. That’s why the last five days felt like a hurricane. The formula looks easy on paper: minus Mackie Samoskevich + Brady Tkachuk + Garnet Hathaway = a stronger Panthers roster. But that’s only part of the picture.

With the 2026 NHL draft coming up, the Cats will have their first selection in the second round at No. 40. One of the most important questions is whether they can make another trade to solve the goalie situation.

No Brick Wall

Sergei Bobrovsky carried a heavy workload during the 2025-2026 campaign. It was a difficult season, with many key players injured or absent, and Bob was put to the test. Stability was missing from everyone’s menu, including Bob’s. When he overachieved, the entire team overachieved. He finished with a 3.07 GAA, a .877 SV%, two assists, and four shutouts in 52 games. Without proper postseason rest for three years, fatigue simply caught up with him. Before the past season, his confidence, spirit, and calmness helped the Cats overcome storms and raise the franchise to new heights. 

The two-time Vezina Trophy winner has 806 NHL games on his resume. It makes sense that he wants a new long-term contract that could help him reach 1,000 career games. It also makes sense that Florida management may not agree with a rumored $42 million over 6-7 years. That option would tie the franchise’s hands with less than $6 million left in projected cap space. After seven years, three Finals, and two Stanley Cups together, the Panthers and Bobrovsky may be looking for new paths. 

As of right now, both Panthers goalies, Sergei Bobrovsky and Daniil Tarasov, are set to become free agents on July 1. That gives the Panthers’ managers time to make more deals. 

But the internet buzz around Connor Hellebuyck doesn’t add up financially. Even though he did an amazing job in the 2026 Olympic final, Hellebuyck’s $8.5 million salary may be too heavy for the Panthers. 

2026 NHL Draft

But let’s go back to the draft. The Florida Panthers managers and scouts have been busy all week evaluating youngsters from European, Russian, and Canadian junior leagues. One of the players they interviewed was the 7-feet-1 Moldova-born defenseman Alexander Karmanov. He is considered the tallest hockey player in the world. Karmanov plays for the OHL’s North Bay Battalion and is committed to joining Penn State in 2027. 

Florida's front office will keep searching for pieces that can lead the franchise to its third Stanley Cup.

The team's culture was also on display this week, as Matthew and Brady Tkachuk stopped by the Panthers' offices with breakfast to introduce Brady to the club’s staff and scouts before the press-conference. It’s a small gesture, but it says a lot about the community Florida continues to build.

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