Florida Panthers News

Verhaeghe has established himself as one of the premier goal scorers in the NHL and has been rewarded with an eight-year, $56 million contract extension. Over the past two seasons, in addition to some clutch playoff performances, the 29-year-old Verhaeghe has tallied 145 points (76G / 69A) and 521 shots in 157 regular-season games. He is currently suiting up on the top line and top powerplay unit for the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.

Schwindt was the 81st overall pick of the Calgary Flames in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft and has spent most of his professional career thus far in the AHL. Last season, he scored 36 points (14G / 22A) in 66 games with the Calgary Wranglers (AHL).

Marchand underwent elbow, groin and abdominal surgeries in the offseason and is still getting up to speed. He has yet to be cleared for practice, but Bruins' GM Don Sweeney said that Marchand remains on track to be ready for the start of the season. Tyler Johnson, who is with the Bruins on a PTO, has been skating in Marchand's spot in training camp.

The Flames are down to one final RFA (Ilya Soloyev) after they signed Cole Schwindt to a one-year, two-way contract worth $800,000 on Wednesday. The 23-year-old has appeared in seven NHL games across the last two seasons but has yet to pick up his first career NHL point. He spent the majority of the 2023-24 season with the Calgary Wranglers (AHL) and had 14 goals, and 36 points in 66 games played.

Lundell was a massive piece in Florida's first-ever Stanley Cup victory with 17 points (3G/14A) in 24 playoff games and has earned himself a six-year extension worth $30.0 million ($5.0M AAV). The 22-year-old was Florida's 2020 1st round pick (12th overall) and has 112 points (43G/69A) in 216 career games played in three seasons.

Entwistle will return to Chicago for a fifth season after signing a one-year, two-way contract extension with the Blackhawks on Tuesday. The 24-year-old has yet to surpass 12+ points in any of his four NHL seasons but had five goals, 11 points, 47 PIMs and a -29 plus/minus in 67 games played in 2023-24.

Florida continues to fill out its bottom six after signing Jesper Boqvist to a one-year deal on Monday. The 25-year-old has five years of NHL experience under his belt but struggled to produce in his first season in Boston in 2023-24 with just six goals and 14 points in 47 games played.

Fresh off of helping Florida win its first Stanley Cup, 33-year-old Dmitry Kulikov has signed a four-year contract extension worth $4.6 million ($1.15M AAV). The veteran defensemen just completed his 15th NHL season and had a goal, 20 points, 63 PIMs and a +15 plus/minus in 76 games played.

Reinhart absolutely exploded in his contract year, scoring 57 goals, 24 more than his previous career high. He also added 37 assists, to give him 94 points, 12 more than his previous career high. Reinhart was also very strong during the Panthers run to the Stanley Cup, posting 16 points (10G / 6A) in 24 games and scored the Stanley Cup winning goal. Look for him to remain on a line with Aleksander Barkov for the foreseeable future.

Barkov left Game 2 in the second period after a high hit from Leon Draisaitl and had some positive news and signs on Wednesday as he returned to Florida's practice in full. The 28-year-old centre has been the definition of lock-down this offseason and is producing on both ends with his six goals and 19 points in 19 games played. He is expected to be a full go for Game 3 on Thursday in Edmonton.

Barkov left Game 2 in the second period after a high hit from Leon Draisaitl and had some positive news from his head coach Paul Maurice on Tuesday. Maurice announced that the Panthers' captain was progressing and the team will be taking a day-to-day approach as they head into Game 3 on Thursday. A further update should be provided on Wednesday as the team partakes in their regular off-day practices.

Barkov was taken out midway through the second period of Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals after a high hit from Edmonton's Leon Draisaitl with an upper-body injury and did not return to finish the game. Head Coach Paul Maurice could not provide any updates in his post-game press conference for the Panthers' captain. Florida's next game is Thursday and we expect more updates to trickle out as the Panthers return to practice in the upcoming days.

Marchand has missed Boston's previous two games due to an upper-body injury and has a high chance to suit up for Game 6 on Friday after being a full participant in practice on Thursday. The 36-year-old Bruins' captain has led by example in this year's playoffs, with three goals, 10 points, 19 SOG and 16 PIMs in 10 games played before his injury.

Marchand had to leave Game 3 after taking a high hit from Sam Bennett and will miss Game 4 due to an undisclosed injury. The Bruins' captain has been sensational in the playoffs so far, with three goals, 10 points, 19 SOG, and 16 PIMs in 10 games played. Danton Heinen is expected to take his spot in the Bruins' lineup.

Marchand left Game 3 on Friday after just 10:51 TOI due to an upper-body injury and is considered day-to-day after he did not practice on Saturday. The 36-year-old has been sensational in the playoffs so far, with three goals, seven assists, 19 SOG, 16 PIMs and a +2 plus/minus through 10 games played.