The Panthers have signed MacKenzie Weegar to a three-year contract worth $9.75 million ($3.25M AAV).
The Panthers have signed Vinnie Hinostroza to a one-year deal worth $1.0 million.
The Coyotes did not tender the RFA, letting him hit the open market and signing on with the Panthers. The former sixth-round pick had a great debut season in Arizona, posting 39 points (16G / 23A) but struggled to just 22 points (5G / 17A) last season. Hinostroza is a good bounce-back candidate in Florida, where he'll be a middle-6 winger.
Source: PuckPedia 10/10/20, 11:21 am EST
The Panthers have signed Alexander Wennebrg to a one-year deal worth $2.25 million.
Wennberg was bought out by the Blue Jackets yesterday but signed a one-year "show me" deal with the Panthers. In Florida, Wennberg has a perfect opportunity to serve as their second line centre and get back to his point producing ways. He has not topped 30 points in two straight seasons but registered a career-high 59 points (13G / 46A) in 2017.
The Panthers have signed Carter Verhaeghe to a two-year contract worth $2.0 million ($1.0M AAV).
Verhaeghe scored nine goals with four assists (13 points) in 52 games in his rookie season in the NHL in 2020. The 25-year-old is a former third-round pick (2015) and led the AHL in goals (34) and points (82) in 2018-19. He's shown offensive ability at lower-levels in the past, now it's a matter of getting opportunity in Florida to showcase he can do it at the NHL-level.
The Panthers have signed Radio Gudas to a three-year deal worth $7.5 million ($2.5M AAV).
Gudas is a big, (6-foot, 204 lbs) rugged defenseman that picked up 13 points (2G / 13A) with 164 hits and 75 blocked shots in 63 games in 2020. After a brief one-year stop in Washington, Gudas heads to Florida, where he'll likely be a third-pairing defenseman.
The Panthers have acquired Markus Nutivaara from the Blue Jackets for Cliff Pu.
Nutivaara has two years left at $2.7M AAV and should immediately slide into the Panthers' top-4. Nutivaara will likely replace Josh Brown, who was traded to Ottawa Keith Yandle's partner. He was in-and-out of the lineup in 2020, playing just 37games. Over the last three seasons, he's averaged seven goals and 18 assists (25 points) per 82 games, so there is some offence there.
The Blue Jackets have placed Alexander Wennberg on unconditional waivers for the purpose of a buyout.
Wennberg had three years left on a six-year deal that carried a $4.9M AAV cap hit. The former No.14 overall pick (2013) had struggled since posting 59 points in 2017, averaging just five goals and 22 assists (27 points) over the last three seasons. Still, he has enough skill to be a No.2 centre for a team in need and a good enough two-way game to be a third line centre for a team with better depth.
Line Change
Verhaeghe is not on the ice for warmups; will come out of the lineup for Game 6.
The Panthers have acquired Patric Hornqvist from the Penguins in exchange for Mike Matheson and Colton Sceviour.
Hornqvist has three years left on his current deal that pays him $5.3M AAV. At 33-years-old, Hornqvist isn't as effective as he once was and injuries have become a major issue for the wing. Over his last four seasons in Pittsburgh, Hornqvist has missed 54 of the 315 games (17.1%) but was sixth on the team in points-per-game, registering 162 points (85G / 77A) in 261 games. In Florida, he will likely slot-in one the first or second line and on the top power-play.
Line Change
Verhaeghe will draw into the Lightning lineup for Game 2 vs. the Stars.
Line Change
Verhaeghe will draw into the Lightning lineup for Game 5 with Brayden Point sidelined.
Source: Ryan Moir 09/15/20, 7:47 pm EST
Line Change
Verhaeghe is expected to draw into Tampa Bay’s lineup for Game 3.
The Panthers have signed Brady Keeper to a one-year, two-way contract extension.
Line Change
Verhaeghe will draw into the Lightning lineup in Game 1 vs. the Bruins.
Source: Joe Smith 08/23/20, 8:05 pm EST
Line Change
Verhaeghe is scratched for Game 5 vs. the Blue Jackets.
Line Change
Nutivaara will be a healthy scratch for Game 1 vs. the Lightning.
Line Change
Nutivaara will dress as a seventh defenseman in Game 5.
Source: Mark Scheig 08/9/20, 7:58 pm EST
Line Change
Gudas will come out of the Capitals lineup on Sunday.
Huberdeau (undisclosed) is on the ice for warmups; will play in Game 4 vs. the Islanders.
Goalie Start
Bobrovsky led the Panthers onto the ice for warmups.
