Panthers sign Nathan Bastian to one-year contract
The Florida Panthers have agreed to terms on a one-year, two-way contract with forward Nathan Bastian, PuckPedia reported Sunday afternoon. The deal reportedly carries an $850,000 NHL cap hit.
Bastian, 28, had been attending the Panthers’ 2026 training camp on a PTO. The 6’4″ right wing spent the 2025-26 season in the Dallas Stars organization, collecting six goals and seven points in 36 NHL games with the club.
According to PuckPedia, Bastian’s contract includes a hefty $525,000 salary for any time he spends with the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers during the 2026-27 season. Bastian is guaranteed to earn at least $575,000 in 2026-27.
The Panthers subsequently placed Bastian on waivers on Sunday. If he clears, he’ll be eligible for assignment to Charlotte.
A second-round pick (No. 41 overall) of the New Jersey Devils in the 2016 NHL Draft, Bastian parlayed his strong junior career with the OHL’s Mississauga Steelheads into an entry-level deal with the Devils early in his first post-draft season.
Upon the conclusion of his fourth year with the Steelheads, Bastian turned pro with the AHL’s Binghamton Devils, appearing in parts of three seasons with the team before transitioning into the NHL ranks with New Jersey. Bastian emerged as a full-time NHLer with the Devils in the 2020-21 season before being claimed by the Seattle Kraken in the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft.
After appearing in just 12 games with the Kraken to start the 2021-22 season, Bastian returned to New Jersey via the waiver wire and spent the following four seasons with the club, helping them reach the playoffs in 2023 and 2025. The Devils allowed Bastian to leave for the Stars organization following the 2025-26 season.
In 312 career NHL games over parts of seven seasons with the Devils, Kraken, and Stars, Bastian has collected 39 goals, 75 points, and 211 penalty minutes. He’s added one goal and one assist in 17 playoff contests, all with New Jersey.
