Panthers Eye Goaltenders Binnington and Hellebuyck as NHL Draft Approaches

With just a week to go before the 2026 NHL Draft kicks off in Buffalo, the Florida Panthers are gearing up for what promises to be an eventful period of player movement and contract signings. The excitement surrounding the annual prospect selection, coupled with the opening of free agency shortly thereafter, has fans and analysts alike buzzing about the Panthers’ next moves.

Holding the ninth overall pick in the draft and boasting over $15 million in cap space, General Manager Bill Zito is poised to make strategic decisions that could shape the team’s future. The Panthers have been the subject of various trade rumors lately, particularly concerning goaltenders Jordan Binnington and Connor Hellebuyck. According to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, Florida’s interest in both netminders remains strong.

Should either Binnington or Hellebuyck don a Panthers jersey next season, it would likely signal the end of Sergei Bobrovsky’s tenure in Florida. Both goaltenders are currently under contract, meaning a trade would be necessary to bring them to the Sunshine State. Binnington, 32, has one year left on his deal with a $6 million average annual value, while Hellebuyck, 33, is secured for five more years at an AAV of $8.5 million.

Additionally, ESPN’s Kevin Weekes has linked the Panthers to Radko Gudas, a former Florida defenseman who recently served as captain of the Anaheim Ducks. At 36, Gudas still demonstrates the ability to perform at a high level and has experience under head coach Paul Maurice from their shared time in Florida, which culminated in a Stanley Cup Final appearance in 2023.

After three successful seasons with the Panthers, Gudas is now hitting the market after earning a $4 million AAV on his last contract. Weekes suggests he might seek a deal in the range of $3.5 to $4 million moving forward. Currently, the Panthers have six defensemen under NHL contracts for the upcoming season: Aaron Ekblad, Gus Forsling, Seth Jones, Niko Mikkola, Dmitry Kulikov, and Uvis Balinskis.

As the draft approaches, the Panthers face crucial decisions regarding their roster. Will Zito opt to carry seven defensemen into the season? What will the team’s strategy be in goal? And how will the ninth overall pick influence these decisions? Fans are eager to see how these narratives unfold as the Panthers look to strengthen their lineup.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.