Brady Tkachuk has been in NHL trade rumors with the Ottawa Senators. After another disappointing Stanley Cup playoffs, Tkachuk’s future is in question as Ottawa looks to improve in the 2026-27 NHL season. However, can the 26-year-old captain request a trade if he doesn’t know what he wants from the Senators this offseason?

This seems like a possibility, so what would it actually take for Tkachuk to be traded to the Florida Panthers? This is what needs to happen for Florida.

Brady Tkachuk should request a trade from the Ottawa Senators

It all starts with Tkachuk. For now, the Ottawa forward has publicly shot down trade rumors, but that doesn’t mean things won’t change going forward. For the Panthers to have a chance to acquire Tkachuk this offseason, he would have to request a trade. At that time, he can control the market.

Tkachuk has an absolute no-move clause in his contract, meaning he would have to approve a trade out of Ottawa. Even if an NHL organization wanted to acquire Tkachuk, he could decline the move. This has become a common theme at the NHL trade deadline, as players earn the right to use this clause.

Needless to say, this won’t be a concern for Florida. Tkachuk’s brother Matthew plays for the Panthers and the family has a good relationship with the organization. If Tkachuk wanted to play with the Panthers, he could also tell the Senators that a trade is to “Florida, and only Florida.”

First, Tkachuk would have to request a trade, and so far, that hasn’t happened. However, if the 26-year-old forward makes the decision, the Panthers will need to be ready on offense.

The Florida Panthers would absolutely have to trade for Tkachuk

The Panthers would absolutely have to trade for Tkachuk if he asks for a move out of Ottawa. Florida is in its championship window, meaning it can trade first-round picks and young prospects to land NHL stars. Tkachuk would qualify as a star and give the Panthers a chance to be an elite, hard-working forward in the future.

Therefore, the Panthers could trade several first-round picks and young players to pry Tkachuk away from Ottawa. Even though senators don’t have as much influence in this scenario, Florida can’t afford to miss this opportunity. The NHL organization will have to do everything it can to make Tkachuk a Panther.

Even if Tkachuk doesn’t come to Florida on trade, there’s still a chance he’ll sign in Florida. The Senators forward has two seasons left on his contract, which is the same as Quinn Hughes when he went through his trade process with the Vancouver Canucks. Ultimately it worked out for both sides.

What seems more likely is that the Panthers will be the top destination by far for Tkachuk. There is a case to be made for the St. Louis Blues, but they can’t give Tkachuk the opportunity to play with his brother. Like Hughes, the Minnesota Wild are facing the same dilemma with a potential contract extension.

Tkachuk would have to formally request a trade from Ottawa, but Florida could make the move if he pulls the trigger.

READ MORE: 5 NHL teams to keep an eye on if Connor McDavid leaves the Edmonton Oilers

Austin Konensky is a writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and more. His work can also…more about Austin Konensky

The Florida Panthers are considering making the necessary moves to make the 2027 Stanley Cup Playoffs. After winning the Stanley Cup Finals the previous two seasons, Florida missed the playoffs due to excessive injuries. Now, the Panthers have time to rest, and they could be a destination for one of the NHL’s best defensemen.

ESPN personality John Buccigross could see John Karlsson join the Panthers for the 2026-27 NHL season on Frankly Hockey. Karlsson joined the Washington Capitals during the 2009–2010 NHL season and spent 17 years with the organization before being traded to the Anaheim Ducks.

Now, Karlsson is set to become a free agent, so what does Florida have to do to get him this summer?

What the Florida Panthers need to do to sign John Carlson

Karlsson is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent during the 2026 NHL offseason, and should be in demand. The 36-year-old defenseman is a top-5 free agent this offseason with $8 million in earnings. So, what will Carlson demand from Florida this summer?

Signing Karlsson to a two- or three-year contract worth $8-10 million per season would likely be necessary. According to Spotrac, the Panthers are projected to have approximately $15 million in cap space this offseason. This doesn’t include Florida’s need for two goaltenders, including Sergei Bobrovsky.

Carlson would be an excellent fit with the Panthers, giving the team reliable star power on defense. The 36-year-old defenseman will fuel Florida’s offense in another run to the Stanley Cup Finals. Ultimately, Carlson fits the timeline for Florida, as the organization looks for another championship.

Although a return to Washington may not be a possibility, Karlsson could return to Anaheim if the team gets a chance to acquire him. The Ducks are a young and rising organization, but the Panthers may be a better fit over the next two to three years.

Carlson should make around $10 million, but it remains to be seen if Florida can add him to the payroll.

READ MORE: 5 bold moves that could reshape the Florida Panthers this 2026 offseason

Austin Konensky is a writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and more. His work can also…more about Austin Konensky

In the 2023 NFL Draft, the Carolina Panthers selected Bryce Young No. 1 overall. He has improved each season since, and so has the Panthers’ record, going from 2-14 to 4-8, 8-8 and making the playoffs.

A big reason for Young’s continued improvement is that the Panthers have continued to improve the foundation around him. This includes spending more than $100 million on the offensive line. The Panthers also invested first-round picks in back-to-back drafts on wide receivers Xavier Leggett and Tetaroa McMillan.

The Panthers used their first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on an offensive tackle, but Carolina also invested a third-round pick on Tennessee wideout Chris Brazell. Still, some believe the Panthers should not add to their corps of pass-catchers.

recently, Sports IllustratedEva Geitheim urged the Panthers to consider signing free agent tight end Darren Waller.

Waller retired for the 2024 season, but surprisingly returned and joined the Miami Dolphins in 2025. Waller, who turns 34 in September, could potentially help a team like the Panthers even after recording a respectable 283 yards and six touchdowns in just three starts and nine appearances.

The one-time Pro Bowler has made no suggestion that he’s headed back into retirement this offseason, and with training camp around the corner, there could be more activity on his front soon.

RELATED: 2026 NFL QB rankings: From the NFL’s worst starting QBs to the best

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

The Florida Panthers enter the 2026 offseason with real pressure to remain in contention while managing a tight salary cap and an aging population. After missing the Stanley Cup playoffs, the front office faces difficult decisions that could define the next era of the franchise.

From potential roster shakeups to smart, cost-cutting moves and strategic retools, several bold options are already on the table. Here are five moves that could reshape the Panthers next season.

Mackie Samoskevich signs long-term contract with Florida

Mackie Samoskevich is about to become a restricted free agent after signing a one-year, one-way contract worth $775,000 last offseason. Rather than a short-term deal, the Panthers should sign Samoskevich to a long-term contract to keep him with the organization. The 23-year-old forward is good for the bottom six, and the contract will allow him to progress into that role after a good end to the season.

AJ Greer comes back for another run with the Panthers

AJ Greer was not moved at the NHL trade deadline as a pending free agent, and Florida should bring him back. The Panthers should give Greer a three-year contract after his breakout season. The 29-year-old forward scored 17 goals and 32 total points, bringing much-needed physicality. If Florida returns next season, Greer would be a wonderful depth piece.

Florida Panthers re-sign goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky

Sergei Bobrovsky is set to enter NHL free agency, but the Panthers shouldn’t let that happen this summer. Florida should re-sign Bobrovsky to a short-term contract and make him the starting goaltender for another Stanley Cup playoff push. The 37-year-old struggled to produce during the 2025-26 NHL season, but he should be better next year.

Panthers get a new backup goalie for Bobrovsky

If the Panthers bring back Bobrovsky, he will be the only main goaltender on the roster at this time. Daniil Tarasov is scheduled to become a free agent; However, the team would not bring him back in this scenario. Instead, the Panthers will be looking for a new backup goaltender, with Connor Ingram, Cameron Talbot, Stuart Skinner and Frederik Andersen representing good experienced options in NHL free agency.

Ottawa Senators trade Brady Tkachuk to Panthers

The Panthers have the ammunition to make a big trade, and Ottawa Senators forward Brady Tkachuk would be the best option. Tkachuk has been linked to Florida for years because of his brother, Matthew Tkachuk, and he could request a trade this offseason. If the Panthers want to reshape the roster for another Stanley Cup Finals appearance, trading for Tkachuk would be the biggest answer.

READ MORE: Brady Tkachuk trade rumors – 5 possible landing spots, including Florida Panthers

Austin Konensky is a writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and more. His work can also…more about Austin Konensky

In the months leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft, many analysts thought there was a chance that the Carolina Panthers could draft a wide receiver in the first round for the third consecutive year. Heck, even Panthers general manager Dan Morgan admitted the team was set to select a pass-catcher first.

Ultimately, the Panthers did not select a receiver at No. 19, instead choosing Georgia offensive tackle Monroe Freeling. However, the Panthers returned to the receiver position with their third pick, taking Tennessee tight end Chris Brazell with the 83rd overall selection in the third round. Brazell is expected to get playing time as a rookie, leading to the departure of another recent top player in Carolina.

recently, athleticJoseph Persson suggested that Xavier Leggett could emerge as a “potential trade candidate” this fall.

The Panthers made Leggett the 32nd overall pick of the first round in the 2024 NFL Draft. He started 13 of his 16 appearances as a rookie, recording 49 receptions on 84 targets for 497 yards and four touchdowns. Unfortunately, he was not able to increase those numbers in Year 2. Leggett started 12 of his 15 appearances, recording 35 receptions on 64 targets for 363 yards and three touchdowns.

Now heading into the third season of a four-year contract that can extend to a fifth season with a team option, Leggett risks falling behind on the depth chart in Carolina. Tate McMillan is top dog. Last year’s undrafted signee Jalen Coker recorded more yards despite playing in four fewer games and seeing 21 fewer targets. Additionally, the Panthers have now added Brazell.

In other words, the Panthers are likely ready to deal Leggett, who is just 25 years old. He should be able to get a third-day draft pick, but are the Panthers willing to give him up for such a low return? If Leggett doesn’t show development in the team’s minicamp, he may very well be gone.

RELATED: 2026 NFL Power Rankings: Evaluating the worst, best teams after the NFL Draft

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

Brady Tkachuk trade rumors have become more rampant over the past week. After the Ottawa Senators were swept by the Carolina Hurricanes, there has been talk of Tkachuk moving to a different team. After all, this sounds very similar to Quinn Hughes, who was traded to the Minnesota Wild during the 2025-26 NHL season.

Tkachuk has a no-movement clause, meaning he must approve a trade from Ottawa to any organization. The 26-year-old forward is one of the NHL’s most polarizing players. With two years remaining on his contract, trading Tkachuk wouldn’t be cheap. Only a few teams could realistically do that this summer.

Below, we consider five landing spots for Tkachuk as trade rumors heat up, including the Florida Panthers.

chicago blackhawks

The Chicago Blackhawks have not made the Stanley Cup playoffs since 2020, but Tkachuk will take the team to the next level. Emerging superstar Connor Bedard would be an excellent fit with the Senators at forward, and Chicago has arguably the best prospect system in the NHL. It will be questionable whether Tkachuk will approve the Blackhawks, but the organization should at least attempt to do so.

detroit red wings

The Detroit Red Wings have the longest playoff drought in the NHL, but adding Tkachuk would be great for the organization. Detroit needs more physicality and general manager Steve Yzerman is adamant on the need for better players. The biggest question is why Tkachuk would approve a trade with Detroit this summer. The Red Wings should try to give Tkachuk a reason to stay in Detroit with a big offseason.

utah mammoth

The Utah Mammoth have the assets to trade for Tkachuk this offseason. Plus, if the 26-year-old forward wants to win, Utah would be a good landing spot. The Mammoth are currently in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs and look like a team that can advance to the second round. If Utah makes a deep run, it could open the door for Tkachuk to join a Stanley Cup-caliber organization.

st louis blues

The St. Louis Blues could be one of the favorites to trade Tkachuk this offseason. Tkachuk grew up in St. Louis and is close to Blues center Robert Thomas. While the Senators would like to see Thomas in a potential trade, Tkachuk would like to play with his close family friend. The NHL organization was no closer to making the playoffs, but Tkachuk may have had a deep desire to play in St. Louis.

Florida Panthers

The Panthers are undoubtedly the top landing spot for Tkachuk. After earning two Stanley Cup rings, Florida missed the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs. Led by Brady’s brother Matthew Tkachuk, the Panthers should return to contention after an injury-filled season. The Panthers will have a top-10 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, and Tkachuk would love to play alongside his brother in the playoffs.

READ MORE: Is Brady Tkachuk leaving the Ottawa Senators? Insider spills major trading rumors

Austin Konensky is a writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and more. His work can also…more about Austin Konensky

The 2026 NFL Draft begins Thursday night. Since the Carolina Panthers went 8-9 in the playoffs last season, they will have the 19th pick in the first round.

Still, before the Panthers head into the draft, general manager Dan Morgan is making some small changes to the roster.

According to ESPN’s NFL insider Adam Schefter, the Panthers signed 31-year-old journeyman backup quarterback Will Grier.

The 100th overall pick in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft spent last season with the Cowboys, but he has not thrown a live pass since 2019. That’s when he made the only two appearances of his pro career, leading the Panthers to two losses while completing 53.8% of his passes for 228 yards and four interceptions.

Grier has bounced from the Panthers, to the Cowboys, to the Bengals, to the Patriots, to the Chargers, to the Eagles, to the Cowboys again, and now the Davidson, North Carolina native is back to the team that drafted him in Carolina.

This will be Grier’s second stint with the Panthers, where he will now be the third-line QB behind Bryce Young and Kenny Pickett. It’s possible another QB will join them in the next few days to provide even more competition. The Panthers have seven selections in the NFL Draft, and could always add an undrafted rookie as a camp arm who can learn from Grier’s NFL journey.

RELATED: Carolina Panthers GM hints about team’s draft plans

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

Dan Morgan has been the general manager of the Carolina Panthers for two draft processes. The 2026 NFL Draft will be his third as president of football operations/GM. Ironically, former NFL linebacker Morgan has only invested a first-round pick in a wide receiver in the two drafts he has presided over.

In 2024, the Panthers made Xavier Leggett the 32nd overall pick in the first round. He has yet to compile 1,000 total yards (860 career total). Meanwhile, last year’s selection, Tetaroa McMillan, who was taken eighth overall, gained 1,014 receiving yards while earning Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in his first season.

Despite the Panthers selecting a receiver in the first round in each of the last two drafts, Carolina still has a need at the position. After all, Leggett hasn’t developed into the star the Panthers hoped, not like McMillan.

Even though the Panthers have done this in back-to-back years, their GM still says Carolina could target another receiver with their first-round selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, where they are ranked 19th.

“No. I think with anything, we’re going to take the best player,” Morgan said via the team’s website. “So if we feel like the best player is someone who is 19 years old, I wouldn’t hesitate to draft another wideout. I don’t think there’s any rule that says you can’t draft a wide receiver three years in a row. So I wouldn’t really put us in a box and say we wouldn’t draft him.”

The Panthers are generally projected to target a receiver in the first round. After seeing how much of an impact McMillen had on former No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young’s game, one can’t help but wonder if a more complete and consistent group of receivers could really unlock Carolina’s scoring attack. The Panthers may feel the same way.

RELATED: 2026 NFL mock draft: Trades that captured the first round of the NFL draft

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

Sergei Bobrovsky is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2025–26 NHL season. With the Florida Panthers struggling with injuries, Bobrowski was involved in NHL trade rumors, but he never materialized. However, what’s the latest on the goaltender’s retirement plans and future with the Panthers?

Bobrowski has made it clear he is not retiring from the NHL and wants to stay with the Panthers, as Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports on the 32 Thoughts Podcast. At 37 years old, it’s fair to question the Florida goaltender’s future in the NHL.

After all, 40-year-old goaltender Jonathan Quick is set to retire from the league after the New York Rangers’ elimination this season.

Why should the Florida Panthers bring back Sergei Bobrovsky?

Bobrovsky has struggled during the 2025–26 NHL season, posting a career-low .887 save percentage and allowing 3.07 goals per game. The 37-year-old goaltender has allowed 10 goals on 44 shots in his last two games against the Ottawa Senators and Pittsburgh Penguins. Despite his decline in play, Florida should bring Bobrovsky back next season.

While Bobrowski’s stats haven’t been great, the goaltender is on par with the players Florida puts on the ice every night. It’s been a tough season for the Panthers, who have dealt with significant injuries to Alexander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk, Brad Marchand, Sam Reinhart, Sam Bennett and others.

The 40-year-old has been described as the “backbone” of the Panthers and the “biggest reason” the organization has two Stanley Cup rings. Bobrowski’s Florida teammates are fully behind him. With a better team on the ice during the 2026-27 NHL season, Bobrowski should have better overall statistics.

Backup goalie for Florida Daniil Tarasov has struggled with an .893 save percentage while allowing 3.12 goals per game. The stats aren’t bad for a backup goaltender, but Bobrowski is a proven option who can lead Florida to the Stanley Cup playoffs next year.

Since retirement is not in the picture, the Panthers should bring Bobrovsky back with a new contract this summer.

READ MORE: Hurricanes rumored to have interest in Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky

Austin Konensky is a writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and more. His work can also…more about Austin Konensky

It seems that despite the big risks, the Carolina Panthers don’t want to waste their starting quarterback in 2026.

When the Panthers made Bryce Young the first overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, the organization had high hopes that they might have a future star. However, his rookie season was forgettable as the team went 2–14 in his debut, as he posted a 59.8 completion percentage, 34.1 quarterback rating and 11 interceptions to 11 touchdowns.

The former Alabama star was sidelined early in his sophomore season, but eventually worked his way back into a starting role and showed some signs of development. The 2025 campaign showed more development under head coach Dave Canales as Young had the highest completion percentage (63.6%), yards (3,011), and touchdowns (23) in his career.

Still, while those were the best single-season numbers of his career, his completion percentage was 23rd, yards were 21st, and touchdowns were 14th best in the NFL. While he was better for the Panthers in 2025, he was still a middling or poor starting QB compared to the rest of the league.

That’s why it makes sense that the Panthers have not yet picked up his fifth-year option, which would be worth $25.9 million. With a strong QB class in the 2027 NFL Draft, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to prove he could be a further development.

Carolina Panthers will soon pick up Bryce Young’s fifth-year option

But it seems the Panthers would rather take the risk of having the average QB make $25 million next year rather than risk having to compete for Young’s services in free agency.

On Tuesday, Panthers general manager Dan Morgan said that after the draft, he plans to negotiate with Bryce Young about picking up his fifth-year option. “Once the draft is over, we’ll definitely move forward,” Morgan told the media. “Obviously, the player isn’t in the building yet. … We’ll get this done as soon as he gets back in the building.”

If Young can take another step forward in 2026, the Panthers could have a good QB at a reasonable rate next year. However, if he disappoints and potentially opts out, they will have the highest-paid backup in the NFL.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

The Vancouver Canucks defeated the Florida Panthers 5-2 in what was a spectacular Tuesday night at Rogers Arena.

Elias Pettersson scored twice, including the 200th goal of his NHL career, and Marco Rossi added a goal and two assists. Brock Boeser had three assists and Kevin Lankinen stopped 21 shots.

Pettersson had gone 20 games without a goal before scoring twice on the power play and Lankinen got his first win in 10 starts.

The Canucks have now won two of their last three, which might not sound that good, but after the stretch this team has endured, it makes sense.

I’ve watched enough Canucks hockey to know when a game starts to feel fragile, even when the scoreboard looks safe. Vancouver came out with a real jump, yet there was the same familiar tension after Matthew Tkachuk tied the game in the first period.

Against a team like Florida, these are the moments that usually turn into trouble. This time, he did not do so.

game flow

At 3:49 of the first, Pettersson opened the scoring on a one-timer from the right circle following Rossi’s cross-ice pass. Tkachuk replied at 11:41 when an awkward bounce from Carter Verhaeghe left him alone in front.

Peterson struck again on the power play at 13:40, with a shot that bounced off two Panthers defensemen for goal No. 200. Rossi then took a 3–1 lead late when Boeser won a puck battle and fed him a pass in front. There was some bite in that first period.

Then came the tension. Sam Bennett made it 3-2 in the second, and it looked like the Panthers were hanging on long enough to flip the script. Instead, Aatu Ratie restored the two-goal lead after a failed clearing pass, and later Drew O’Connor finished another chance from just above the crease.

As NHL.com noted, three of Vancouver’s goals came when skaters were left open in front of the Florida net, and Panthers coach Paul Morris acknowledged that these breakdowns were unusual for his club.

A better night, but not a clean slate

The Associated Press reported that Lankinen was playing his 200th NHL game, while Panthers defenseman Seth Jones returned after missing 26 games.

Reuters found that Sergei Bobrovsky was making his 800th NHL appearance, but the milestone night belonged to the Canucks.

Pettersson’s last goal came on January 13, making it his longest drought in the NHL. He said he’s trying to simplify and shoot more, and you can see that in the way he attacks his look instead of overthinking about it.

Boeser also supported this, saying that a confident Peterson would have to let that shot go. For Vancouver, it means more than a nice night in March. This changes the feel of the room a bit.

The reality is that this win doesn’t fix the season. I’m not pretending otherwise. Still, for Canucks fans who have waited a while to see Pettersson look dangerous again and for the team to actually finish their chances, it may have seemed worth holding out for a few days.

The Panthers visit Edmonton next, and the Canucks stay at home to face Tampa Bay on Thursday.

The NFL free agency negotiation window opens Monday at 12 p.m. ET. As always, there was an immediate burst of activity. The Carolina Panthers wasted no time in writing a big check, the largest ever.

Weeks earlier, Panthers general manager Dan Morgan had acknowledged that the team would consider signing former Pro Bowl pass-rusher Bradley Chubb, who was recently released by the Dolphins. The Panthers didn’t end up signing Chubb (though they still could), Carolina simply added one of his former teammates who may ultimately be even better than Chubb.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Panthers are signing edge rusher Jalen Phillips to a four-year, $120 million contract. The 6-foot-5, 266-pound Phillips was traded from Miami to Philadelphia in exchange for a third-round pick, but he now leaves the Eagles after just eight games with the team.

Phillips, 26, arrived with the Dolphins as the 18th overall pick in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He’s still trying to top the 8.5 sacks he recorded as a rookie, but he’s also recovered from two season-ending injuries, including a torn Achilles, in 2023.

Last season, Phillips recorded 53 tackles (7 TFL), five sacks, two fumble recoveries and four pass deflections in 17 starts. Now he’ll look to build on those numbers in Carolina, where he’ll join a front seven that includes Pro Bowl defensive tackle Derrick Brown to help eat up blockers in the middle of the defense.

RELATED: 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Round 1 projections ahead of NFL free agency

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

The Florida Panthers are on the rise. After the Olympic break, the Panthers have lost three consecutive games and are in last place in the Atlantic Division with 63 points. Florida is 10 points (five games) out of the final wild card spot with 21 games left. Time is ticking, and the Panthers have made a decision on their plans for the 2026 NHL trade deadline.

Florida has decided to become a seller ahead of the 2026 NHL trade deadline, The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun reports. The Panthers will not include Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Bennett and others in trade talks, but they will make their unrestricted free agents available. This also includes goalkeeper Sergei Bobrovsky.

Bobrowski is on the 16-team no-trade list, but Florida is listening to other teams. That doesn’t mean the Panthers aren’t willing to move the 37-year-old goaltender, as an extension could be done. Another notable player that Florida has been listening to is forward AJ Greer.

The Panthers have won the last two Stanley Cups, but a third is becoming less likely. Florida has faced injuries throughout the 2025–26 NHL season. Florida captain Alexander Barkov has missed the entire campaign due to a torn ACL ahead of the new season.

The NHL team has played a lot of hockey over the past three seasons, and it could pick up the pace in 2026. Like the Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL, the dynasty is not over, but it is taking a break. The Panthers are expected to be active before the NHL trade deadline, but they will not receive a deal.

Read more: Florida Panthers could trade Sergei Bobrovsky, 5 best landing spots

Austin Konensky is a sports writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and college football. His work…More about Austin Konensky

Watch what happens when the New Jersey Devils score first?

Hosting the defending back-to-back champions, the Florida Panthers, New Jersey looked like themselves again in a 5–1 victory to start their seven-game homestand.

It was a slow start as the Panthers pressured Jacob Markstrom and maintained puck possession with five shots in the first three-plus minutes of the period.

However, the Devils tilted the ice back in their direction, opening the scoring on the stick of Arseniy Gritsyuk.

Connor Brown forced a turnover in the neutral zone as the Panthers attempted to transition to the Devils’ end of the ice.

Gritsyuk picked up the loose puck, led an awkward run the other way with Jack Hughes, but opted to shoot and beat Sergei Bobrovsky for a 1–0 lead at the 12:10 mark of the first period.

20 seconds after the Devils scored, Carter Verhaeghe set up Jack in the corner behind the Devils’ net. Panthers forwards got two minutes for boarding, while Brendan Dillon and Eetu Luostarinen got two minutes for roughing.

Jack surfaced after the boarding incident and remained safe in the game.

Anton Lundell equalized the score at one just as Dillon and Luostarinen came out of their respective penalty boxes.

A physical, playful game continued in the second period, however, as the Devils quickly separated themselves from the Panthers on the scoreboard.

Jack received a pass from Jasper Bratt in the Florida slot but sent the puck wide of the Panther net. Still, Dougie Hamilton was in the right place at the right time, as the rubber bounced off the end board and landed right in front of him for an easy tap-in, giving the Devils a 2-1 lead 1:35 into the middle frame.

About halfway through the second period, Cody Glass widened the gap by redirecting Lenny Haminaho’s shot from the right point, scoring his 14th of the season to give New Jersey a 3–1 lead.

The third period proved that the ice was tilted in New Jersey’s favor. Bobrowski made 10 saves in the final 20 minutes to keep Florida from a two-goal deficit.

However, this did not prevent the Devils from maintaining the majority of puck possession.

Paul Morrissey pulled Bobrovsky with about three and a half minutes remaining in the game. Dawson Mercer forced a turnover in the neutral zone and scored on an empty net to increase the Devils’ lead to 4–1.

Simon Nemec added a second empty-net goal to solidify a 5–1 victory.

Markstrom recently had another strong performance, making 20 saves on 21 shots and earning his 17th win of the season.

James is the fully certified New Jersey Devils beat reporter for New Jersey Hockey Now on SportsNote and … More about James Nicholls

The Florida Panthers are out of playoff contention by several games, and Sergei Bobrovsky could be on the move. Bobrovsky is in the final campaign of a seven-year contract with a $10 million cap hit. At 38 years old, the Florida goaltender hasn’t been as sharp during the 2025-26 NHL season, but joining a team more capable of making the playoffs could improve his game.

Below, we consider the five best landing spots for Bobrovsky if the Panthers trade Bobrovsky at the NHL trade deadline!

edmonton oilers

The Edmonton Oilers need a goaltender, whether it’s Sergei Bobrovsky or someone else. Edmonton players have expressed concern over their current goaltender situation, as the team has allowed more than five goals in two of the last three games. Bobrowski is known for leveling up in the playoffs, and he can lead Edmonton to the Stanley Cup.

montreal canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens could use an upgrade in their goaltending room before the NHL trade deadline. Jacob Fowler is considered a long-term option at goaltender, but Bobrowski would give Montreal a short-term boost. This will still preserve the crease for the future. Whether it’s Bobrowski or not, the Canadiens could use an upgrade with the playoffs in the picture.

carolina storm

The Carolina Hurricanes have Brandon Bussy as their goaltender, but acquiring Bobrowski would give the team another option. Following Pyotr Kochetkov’s surgery, Carolina’s goaltender depth was tested by placing Bussi in the lead role. It’s not a desperate need, but Bobrowski will help the Hurricanes over the next 20 games.

vegas golden knights

The Vegas Golden Knights could use an upgrade at the goalie position. While Adin Hill’s save percentage has been over .900 for the past seven years, it has dropped to .858 during the 2025–26 season. With Hill and Carter Hart struggling, Bobrowski could use a change of scenery.

san jose sharks

The San Jose Sharks are trying to make a playoff run, and acquiring Bobrowski could take them to the next level. Yaroslav Askarov and Alex Nedeljkovic are not a Stanley Cup-winning duo, but the Panthers goaltender will become the primary option. The trade package will likely only be big for a few games, but San Jose needs an upgrade.

READ MORE: Detroit Red Wings heavily pursuing Canucks star in trade talks

Austin Konensky is a sports writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and college football. His work…More about Austin Konensky

The Carolina Panthers took a big jump in Dave Canales’ second season as head coach, going from five wins to eight, winning the NFC South in the process. Now, the Panthers are looking for a way to take another step forward, but they may have something in the works.

According to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, the Panthers are receiving trade calls on backup quarterback Andy Dalton this offseason. Regardless of whether they made a trade or not, Panthers general manager Dan Morgan made it clear that the Panthers will bring in another backup quarterback this offseason, and Dalton knows it.

Now 38, Dalton is a two-time Pro Bowl QB who is in the last year of his contract in Carolina. While he could provide valuable experience to Carolina’s QB room, it’s possible another team would be willing to offer a third-day draft pick in exchange for the 15-year veteran.

If the Panthers can also get a seventh- or sixth-round pick by trading Dalton, who can be cut from the roster before the season starts, that’s an opportunity worth considering. After all, they could have signed another veteran QB to replace him anyway.

Young and Dalton are the only quarterbacks on Carolina’s roster, but as Morgan said, another addition is on the way.

RELATED: Carolina Panthers express interest in Pro Bowl pass-rusher

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

Some teams are cutting costs this time of year. The Carolina Panthers haven’t felt forced to move on from any of their overpriced veterans. But the changes could help free up about $10 million more in projected cap space.

Once free agency begins, the Panthers could be active as they look to improve the roster. This could include adding a Pro Bowl player to the mix.

Panthers general manager Dan Morgan spoke to the media at the NFL Combine on Tuesday. While doing so, he revealed that the team would be signing two-time Pro Bowl pass-rusher Bradley Chubb, who had recently been released by the Dolphins.

“I don’t think anything is going to come out of the conversation,” Morgan said. “We’ll track him down, we’ll talk to his agent, but I won’t say anything forthcoming, but we’ll definitely stay on top of that, and we’ll see where he goes.”

Morgan said the 29-year-old Chubb is “still playing at a really good level.”

Chubb started all 17 games for the Dolphins last season, and recorded 8.5 sacks in the process. It was a strong performance, considering he missed the entire 2024 season with a torn ACL after recording 11 sacks in 2023. Chubb recorded a career-high 12 sacks as a rookie, and he has been trying to get back to that peak ever since.

After five seasons in Denver and three seasons in Miami, Chubb’s next chapter will likely take him back to another contender as he has only appeared in one playoff game since being drafted as the fifth overall selection in the 2018 NFL Draft.

RELATED: 5 Ideal Bradley Chubb Free Agency Landing Spots

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ