It's an old-wives tale in the NHL about going against teams on nights they lift the banner at home from the previous season. Will that apply to the Panthers tonight at Sunrise against the Blackhawks? Chicago has nowhere to go but up after a paltry 61 points last season, and there's still Connor Bedard to provide excitement, but the Hawks ranked near the bottom in too many categories, especially on the defensive end, to suggest any upgrade is imminent. Granted, Paul Maurice has some injury concerns at the moment for the Panthers (no Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk for starters), but the admirable depth on display last spring in another Cup run can smooth over those absences. Play Panthers on the Puck Line.
Vilmanis could have an opportunity to begin the 2026-27 season on the third line alongside Anton Lundell and Eetu Luostarinen, George Richards of Florida Hockey Now reports.
Mangiapane (lower body) is expected to be ready for training camp ahead of the 2026-27 season, per TSN on Friday.
Schmid signed a two-year, $4 million contract with the Panthers on Friday, per Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.
Kane agreed to terms on a two-year, $16 million contract with the Blackhawks on Thursday.
Hovorka signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Panthers on Tuesday, per PuckPedia.
Bedard will be sidelined for four months following shoulder surgery, the Blackhawks announced Wednesday.
Commesso signed a two-year, $1.75 million contract with Chicago on Monday, per PuckPedia.
Sebrango agreed to terms on a one-year contract with Florida on Wednesday, David Dwork of The Hockey News reports.
Fitzgerald signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Panthers on Wednesday, per PuckPedia.
Imama signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Panthers on Wednesday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.
