The relationship between the Florida Panthers and versatile forward Evan Rodrigues looks to be coming to an end. After a few seasons and a couple of Stanley Cup championships, Panthers fans are most likely preparing to say goodbye to 'E-Rod'. The veteran has been an integral part of Florida's success in recent years.
Rodrigues first came to Florida in July of 2023 when he signed a four-year contract. Soon, it became clear that he was one of the final pieces needed for Florida to win the Stanley Cup. Over the last two seasons, he has seen consistent time in the middle-six but has played virtually everywhere in the lineup.
The former Boston University star, along with several other members of Florida's core, has had big moments in the playoffs. Rodrigues scored three goals in the first two games of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final. This past season, he lit the lamp in the Panthers' Eastern Conference Final clinching Game Five win over Carolina. 'E-Rod' has served the Florida Panthers well, and without him, the two Cups that the Cats claimed might be someone else's.
However, times have changed. Rodrigues, the organization, and the fans have learned about the vagaries of professional hockey's fates. Once viewed as an anchor of one of the deepest rosters in the NHL, the 33-year-old is now the team's top candidate to be dealt away. The reason is that Florida is over the salary cap.
General manager Bill Zito did the improbable during the summer. The hot-shot general manager was able to convince longtime defenseman and former top overall pick, Aaron Ekblad, to take a massive hometown discount. With Ekblad agreeing, Zito was also able to give Sam Bennett and Brad Marchand new contract extensions, to keep the band together.
With the three signings, along with the club re-signing Mackie Samoskevich, Florida is $3.7 above the salary cap, according to PuckPedia. To start the season, someone has to get moved for the club to be compliant under the cap. Rodrigues still has two more seasons on the contract he signed a few summers ago. Over the next two years, the multi-purpose commodity will be owed a combined total of $6 million.
No one else on the roster seems to be more expendable than Rodrigues, as no other depth piece makes as much money as he does. Also, the decade-long veteran didn't have his best year last season and looked to be a bit worse as a player. In 2024-25, he recorded seven fewer points than the year before, and he suffered a massive drop-off in plus/minus rating.
In 2023-24, Rodrigues posted a +26 rating. This past year saw his rating plummet to a -4. With Rodrigues pushing his mid-30s, he might be on a career regression. He might have some wear and tear on him, and it would be in the best interests of the team to move on from him, especially with the aforementioned restrictions on the team's payroll.
With Samoskevich coming into his own as well, getting rid of the Toronto native will open up a spot for the youngster to slot into the second line, at the very least. However, the Panthers don't necessarily have to trade Rodrigues away before the start of the season, depending on the status of one of their star players.
For those who might've forgotten, Matthew Tkachuk dealt with physical maladies throughout the second half of the season. He dealt with a supposed groin injury that was sustained at the 4 Nations Faceoff. The superstar winger then sat out the remainder of the regular season before returning for the postseason opener against Tampa Bay.
After Florida completed their second straight Stanley Cup title run this past June, Tkachuk opened up about his injuries. He tore his abductor muscle and sustained a case of sports hernia on the same side. He wasn't sure if he needed surgery and stated that it was 50-50, according to George Richards of Florida Hockey Now.
With Tkachuk's availability for the start of next season still up in the air, Bill Zito has the opportunity to wait it out with Rodrigues. If Tkachuk were to start the 2025-26 season on LTIR, his $9.5 million cap hit will come off the books. Because of that, Zito and the front office can still keep Rodrigues around.
Tkachuk not playing, will open up a spot for Samoskevich and Rodrigues to play. If this is the case, the team won't have to move Rodrigues until the trade deadline. It wouldn't hurt the team to keep him for a little longer than expected. While he did go through downswings last year, he can still be useful for this team.
With Rodrigues' experience and chemistry that has grown since his arrival, the former undrafted free agent can still serve a purpose if called upon. All Panthers fans should already know what he brings to the table. Rodrigues does a little bit of everything and can become the glue that holds a specific line together.
He doesn't get on the nightly highlight shows. He doesn't have the flashiest game that's easy to notice. However, the former Penguin knows what it takes to win. He does all the little things that lead to success. It's those things that usually don't show up on the box score. The soon-to-be 11th-year pro has been a glove for a team that prides itself on hard work, determination, and an undying desire to win.
Losing Tkachuk would be a challenge for the team to get through. However, they did it last year, and everyone knows that a loss like that doesn't faze this team. Also, keeping Rodrigues around will just help them get through a potentially long absence.
His presence would still have the roster in a position to where they could still compete for an Atlantic Division title. Depth will still be there, in its best form. Samoskevich's growth wouldn't be stunted as he will still get ice time. There are no negatives if Rodrigues were to stick around if Tkachuk needs to start the year on LTIR.
It could also work out even more from the front office's perspective. If Rodrigues were to stay, he could play well enough to boost his trade value. Now, he'll never command a king's ransom. However, a good first-half stretch could earn the Panthers some much-needed draft capital and even some prospects from another squad that's looking to take a jump in the standings during next season.
Bill Zito and the organization are in a win-win spot when it comes to the future of Evan Rodrigues. It's a dream scenario and could be different from adding another key member of the team for the future. Florida doesn't need to trade 'E-Rod' now. They are not forced to. This is a great problem to have. The franchise and the fans shouldn't want it any other way.