Summer is the busiest time for general managers. While players can enjoy their families and trips overseas, team management must build leverage and depth for the entire season, as well as for the potential playoff run. Breaking news and major deals strike just hours before free agency begins, leaving some clubs with limited options to play around. Even during the off-season, the Florida Panthers appear to be winners.
First comes the NHL draft. Just before the big day, the Panthers extended their playoff MVP, Sam Bennett, to an eight-year deal worth $64 million.
The champions also improved their goalie pipeline by bringing the 6-foot-5 Daniil Tarasov from the Columbus Blue Jackets. In return, the Panthers traded a fifth-round 2025 draft pick. Interestingly, both goaltenders are from the same city, Novokuznetsk, Russia, and will be able to build a strong bond on and off the ice.
Florida Musketeers
The first day of the 2025 NHL draft was quiet for Florida hockey.
The second one was more intense with the Panthers making six selections and the Lightning making eight selections. The back-to-back champions have their system in place and know that it takes a special kind of player to be on the team: gritty, selfless, aggressive, and committed to being there for linemates every second of a shift. If you think about it, today’s Panthers culture bears a resemblance to a classic novel by Alexandre Dumas, “The Three Musketeers,” with its motto, “All for one and one for all.” They showed up every game and never gave up.
The Panthers chose four forwards, one defenseman, and a goalie. A Russian one. The 6-foot-6 Yegor Midlak becomes the third Russian goaltender in Florida’s system and joins fellow countrymen Sergei Bobrovsky and Daniil Tarasov. Just a few days before the 2025 draft, Roberto Luongo, a former NHL goalie and current special advisor to the Florida Panthers general manager, attended an independent development camp held at the champions’ practice facility in Fort Lauderdale. Three Russian goaltenders participated in the showcase, but other NHL clubs selected them all during the draft in Los Angeles. The significant difference between prospects was the height. The Panthers selected the tallest goalie. His name is not on the 2025 development camp roster.
Tampa Bay’s picks included five forwards, two defensemen, and one goalie. The Bolts selected a promising 18-year-old Ethan Czata (2nd round, 56th overall) from the OHL’s Niagara Ice Dogs. He is invited to the team’s 2025 prospects’ development camp. On-ice practices begin July 1st but are closed to the public. The 31-player roster will include draft picks from previous years and seven 2025 draftees. The annual 3-on-3 tournament will be held on Thursday and Friday. Fans are welcome to attend and cheer. The Lightning also parted ways with a 33-year-old veteran Conor Sheary, who spent most of the last season with the Syracuse Crunch. This step removes the $2-million cap hit and gives Julien BriseBois more freedom to make some impactful moves when the NHL’s free agency starts.
Open Market
Free agency opens on July 1st and promises to be an energizing experience. Two of the hottest players who appeared to be willing to test the market, Aaron Ekblad and Brad Marchand, secured new deals on June 30 and will stay in Florida. Ekblad will enjoy an eight-year contract averaging $6.1 million a year. The most hated and loved player, nicknamed “The Rat King” by fans, Marchand, is set to earn under $32 million for six years with the Panthers. The team has retained its dominating core.
Some fans and experts argued that the Lightning management made the right decisions, leaving the organization without any 2025 first-round picks. Only time will show. But this year’s draft was not the most prosperous one in terms of extraordinary talent: no new McDavid, Hedman, Stamkos, Makar, or Kane. Everyone develops at their own pace, but hockey can’t wait.
The back-to-back champions depend on their experience, strength, and effective forechecking. So far, the Florida Panthers and Bill Zito look more active than the neighboring Tampa Bay Lightning and Julien BriseBois. But don’t be fooled. Set your alarm and get ready to follow daily updates with FL Teams.