Florida Panthers
A preview of the 2026-27 NHL season for the Florida Panthers, including predictions from VSiN NHL Expert Jonathan Davis. For all other NHL team previews, check out our NHL page.
Key Additions: Brady Tkachuk, Jacob Markstrom, Garnet Hathaway, Akira Schmid, Radko Gudas, Lars Eller
Key Departures: Mackie Samoskevich, Evan Rodrigues, A.J. Greer, Jesper Boqvist, Jeff Petry, Sergei Bobrovsky, Daniil Tarasov
Overview
Brad Marchand, never at a loss for words, said it best, “What’s the difference between losing in the final and missing the playoffs? There’s just one winner; everyone else is a loser.” The Florida Panthers’ bid to become the first team to “three-peat” since the Islanders won four consecutive Stanley Cups (1980-84) came up short as they failed to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2018-19. Maybe the wear and tear of three consecutive trips to the Stanley Cup Final caught up to the two-time defending Cup Champs. Captain Sasha Barkov suffered a season-ending injury in training camp. Matthew Tkachuk played just 31 games and did not make his season debut until mid-January, recovering from an injury from the previous season. Florida did make a big splash in the summer, acquiring Brady Tkachuk and goalie Jacob Markstrom while saying goodbye to Sergei Bobrovsky and Evan Rodrigues. Florida became the first defending champion to miss the playoffs since the 2014-15 Kings and the first two-time defending champ to miss since the 1969-70 Canadiens.
Offense
The Panthers forward group looks like an all-star team with the Tkachuk brothers, Sasha Barkov, Sam Reinhart, Sam Bennett, Carter Verhaeghe, Anton Lundell, Eetu Luostarinen and Brad Marchand (Marchand will miss the start of the season after surgery in the summer). They can beat you on the scoreboard and at the same time beat you up in the alley. They have a mix of skill, size, and speed, and play a physical game that will wear the opposition down. Captain Aleksander Barkov returns after missing all of last season, the result of tearing his ACL and MCL in training camp. His three goals and 11 points led Finland to a gold medal at the World Championships in May. Brady Tkachuk is coming off a 22-goal, 59-point season (60 games), and if he stayed healthy, was on pace for his fourth 40-goal season.
Defense
Only four teams gave up more goals last season than the injury-riddled Florida Panthers. The 274 goals surrendered were 51 more than the prior season. Only two teams used more than the 13 defensemen that suited up for Florida last season. When healthy, the Panthers blueline blends size, physicality, and scoring. Aaron Ekblad provides the offense on the Panthers’ top pair and is paired with Gustav Forsling, one of the league’s best shutdown defensemen. Seth Jones and Niko Mikkola provide a physical presence on Florida’s second pair. A familiar face returns to the Panthers’ back end. After three seasons with the Anaheim Ducks, Radko Gudas was acquired by Florida for AJ Greer. Gudas will likely split time on the third pair with Dmitry Kulikov and Uvis Balinskis.
Goaltending
The Panthers completely overhauled their goaltending situation, saying goodbye to two-time Stanley Cup Champion Sergei Bobrovsky and his backup, Danil Tarasov. Jacob Markstrom was acquired from New Jersey and returns to the organization that originally drafted him (31st overall in 2008) and where he played parts of four seasons. Akira Schmid comes over from the Vegas Golden Knights and will serve as the backup. Markstrom has yet to lead any of his previous teams past round two of the playoffs and will need to be a difference maker if the Panthers are going to return to the Final for the fourth time in five seasons.
Player to Watch
All eyes will be on Brady Tkachuk as he joins his brother Matthew in Florida. Playing in the Panthers’ top six and top power-play unit, he has the opportunity to eclipse his career-best 83 points and post his fourth career 40-goal season.
Outlook
Opponents better be ready when they face the Panthers this season. The additions of Brady Tkachuk, Radko Gudas and Garnet Hathaway make this team even tougher to play against. A healthy Sasha Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk, Brad Marchand and Seth Jones are why the Panthers are the favorite to win the Atlantic Division (+140) and, along with Carolina, have the shortest odds on the board to win the Stanley Cup (+650).
In June, I grabbed Florida at +275 to win the Atlantic Division. I am not as interested at their current price (+140), but I do like Brady Tkachuk for 75+ points at (+175). One other note on the Panthers. Seven of their first eight and ten of their first 13 games are on the road.
Team Futures
Regular Season Points: 107.5 (Over -125, Under -105)
To Make the Playoffs: (-1000)
To Miss the Playoffs: (+650)
To Win the Division: (+140)
To Win the Eastern Conference: (+320)
To Win the Stanley Cup: (+650)
2025-26 Recap
Record: 40-38-4 (84 points, 7th Atlantic Division)
Over/Under: 46-34-2
Home Favorite: 14-16 // Home Dog: 9-2
Road Favorite: 7-10 // Road Dog: 8-14
Win Score 4 or more: 27 of 40 // Lose Give Up 4 or more: 31 of 42
Puck Line Wins: 26 of 40 // Puck Line Losses: 33 of 42
Front End Back-to-Back: 8-5 // Back End Back-to-Back: 4-9
Points Leader: Sam Reinhart – 61
Goal Leader: Sam Reinhart – 29
Teams First Goal Leader: Brad Marchand – 11, Sam Reinhart – 8
Assist Leader: Sam Bennett and Sam Reinhart, each with 32
Shots on Goal Leader: Sam Bennett – 201
Blocked Shots: Aaron Ekblad – 103
Depth Chart
Forwards
Brady Tkachuk / Alexander Barkov / Sam Reinhart
Carter Verhaeghe / Sam Bennett / Matthew Tkachuk
Eetu Luostarinen / Anton Lundell / Brad Marchand
Sandis Vilmanis / Lars Eller / Garnet Hathaway
Defense
Gustav Forsling / Aaron Ekblad
Niko Mikkola / Seth Jones
Dmitry Kulikov / Radko Gudas
Goalies
Jacob Markstrom / Akira Schmid
