2025 Free Agent Frenzy Recap: Introducing the Newest Members of the Florida Panthers
Welcome to this special edition newsletter, recapping the 2025 Free Agent Frenzy, which began on Tuesday, July 1st. Meet the newest Florida Panthers signings and bid farewell to some of our Stanley Cup Champions.
Welcome to Sunrise, Florida: Meet the Newest Members of the Florida Panthers
Brandon Bussi
Goaltender
The Florida Panthers signed Brandon Bussi to a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000 per year. Bussi most recently appeared in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Providence Bruins, where he appeared in 33 games with an average .907 save percentage and recorded five total shutouts. While he has yet to make his NHL debut, Bussi brings experience from both the AHL and the NCAA, where he played collegiate hockey at Western Michigan University.
Daniil Tarasov
Goaltender
The Florida Panthers signed Daniil Tarasov to a one-year contract worth $1,050,000 per year. Tarasov most recently played for the Columbus Blue Jackets, appearing in 20 games during the 2024–25 season and earning 7 wins with a .881 save percentage. He was originally selected by Columbus in the third round of the 2017 NHL Draft. Fun fact: Tarasov’s role model is Sergei Bobrovsky, they’re both Russian-born goaltenders from Novokuznetsk, Russia. General Manager Bill Zito expressed his excitement about adding Tarasov to the Panthers’ roster.
“Daniil is an athletic sized goaltender with National Hockey League experience and carries a tremendous pedigree from his junior career.”
The 6’5”, 26-year-old goaltender has significant upside, especially with the opportunity to work alongside the Florida Panthers’ Goaltending Excellence Department and having the chance to learn from Sergei Bobrovsky. Bill Zito expanded on the impact of this acquisition.
“Our Goaltending Excellence Department was very high on him, and we are very opportunistic about his future with our franchise.”
Jack Studnicka
Center, Right Wing
The Florida Panthers signed Jack Studnicka to a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000 per year. Studnicka most recently appeared in the AHL with the Ontario Reign, where he played 72 games and recorded 16 goals, 29 assists, for a total of 45 points. His last NHL appearance came during the 2023-2024 season with the San Jose Sharks, where he played in 17 games.
Jeff Petry
Defenseman
The Florida Panthers signed NHL veteran Jeff Petry to a one-year contract worth $775,000 per year, with an additional opportunity to earn $250,000 in performance bonuses. This includes a $50,000 bonus for reaching each of the following milestones: 30, 40, 50, and 60 games played, as well as $50,000 for winning the Stanley Cup. Petry most recently played for the Detroit Red Wings over the past two seasons. The veteran defenseman has played in 981 career games across 15 seasons. He’s amassed 96 goals, 289 assists, for 385 total points. After signing with the Panthers, Petry expressed his excitement about joining the team.
“It’s an exciting place to play. And you see, obviously, what they’ve accomplished over the last few years. And for me, when I got the call that there was an interest in me coming there, I saw Bennett and Ekblad and Marchand re-signing. So when they called, it was a no-brainer.”
Petry is expected to fill a role similar to Nate Schmidt, who replaced Oliver Ekman-Larsson the year prior. He missed roughly half of the 2024–2025 season due to injury. Petry shared his excitement about joining the team, stating:
“You consider all things, and the track record of players. And I think it speaks to the group that they have, that you can bring a new player in, and they and they fit in and do well.”
Kirill Gerasimyuk
Goaltender
The Florida Panthers signed Kirill Gerasimyuk to a two-year, two-way entry-level contract worth $875,000 per year. He was drafted by the Panthers in the 2021 NHL Draft. He most recently appeared in 32 combined games during the 2024–2025 season in the Supreme Hockey League (VHL), the second-highest level of professional hockey in Russia. He also earned a silver medal with Team Russia at the 2021 IIHF U18 World Junior Championship.
Mackenzie Entwistle
Center, Right Wing
The Florida Panthers signed Mackenzie Entwistle to a two-year, two-way contract worth $775,000 per year. Entwistle most recently played for the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers during the 2024-2025 sseason, he appeared in 7 regular season games as well as 8 playoff games. His last NHL appearance came in the 2023-2024 season with the Chicago Blackhawks, where he played 67 games and recorded 11 points. Over his career, he has appeared in 193 NHL games, all with the Blackhawks, scoring 15 goals and adding 20 assists for a total of 35 points. He signed with the Panthers as a free agent on July 2, 2024, but did not appear in any NHL games during the 2024–2025 season.
Nolan Foote
Left Wing, Right Wing
The Florida Panthers signed Nolan Foote to a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000 per year. Foote most recently played for the New Jersey Devils during the 2024–2025 season, appearing in 7 NHL games. He spent most of his time with the Devils’ AHL affiliate, the Utica Comets, where he played in 53 games and recorded 18 goals and 21 assists for a total of 39 points. Over his career, Foote has appeared in 30 NHL games, all with the Devils.
Re-Signed: These Cats are Staying!
Aaron Ekblad
Defenseman
The Florida Panthers have extended Aaron Ekblad to an eight-year contract for $6,100,000 per year, keeping him with the team through the 2032-33 season. Ekblad, the first overall pick in the 2014 NHL Draft, has spent his entire career with the Panthers. Now 29 years old, he has firmly established himself as a cornerstone of the franchise. In his career spanning eleven seasons, Ekblad has appeared in 732 regular-season games, amassing 380 points and a career plus-minus rating of +96. He has played in 83 playoff games. His performance in the 2024-2025 playoffs was particularly notable, contributing 4 goals and 9 assists, totaling 13 points while showcasing his prowess as a shutdown defender alongside his partner Gustav Forsling. Ekblad spoke about his extension, stating:
“It means the world to me. Nineteen years is a long time, especially with one franchise, and I have so much pride and still a lot of expectations for my career in these eight years.”
Brad Marchand
Center, Wing
The Florida Panthers have extended Brad Marchand to a six-year contract woth $5,250,000 per year, keeping him with the team through the 2030-31 season. Marchand, a longtime Boston Bruin, was acquired by the Panthers on March 7, 2025, went on to help Florida capture the 2025 Stanley Cup. Now, he’s chosen to stay in South Florida for the long term. During the 2024–2025 postseason, Marchand was instrumental in the Panthers’ championship run, recording 10 goals, 10 assists for 20 points in 23 games. He played a key role on the team’s dominant third line alongside Anton Lundell and Eetu Luostarinen. Marchand has played in over 1,100 career NHL games, tallying 424 goals and 980 total points. At 37 years old, he shows no signs of slowing down. Bill Zito spoke on Marchand’s immediate impact, stating:
“Instantly supplementing our lineup from the moment he arrived in South Florida, Brad has been an outstanding addition to our team. He is the definition of a warrior on the ice, a critical leader for our group and a relentless competitor.”
Sam Bennett
Center
The Florida Panthers have extended Sam Bennett to an eight-year contract for $8,000,000 per year, keeping him with the team through the 2032-33 season. Bennett, acquired from the Calgary Flames on April 12, 2021, has spent the last five seasons with the Panthers and has become a core part of the team’s identity. Known for his physical, intense style of play, that elevates especially in the postseason, Bennett took his game to another level during the 2024–2025 playoffs. He set an NHL record for most road goals scored over a single postseason. He helped the Panthers to back-to-back Stanley Cup championships and was awarded the 2025 Conn Smythe recognized as the playoff MVP. Bill Zito spoke on Bennett’s impact stating:
“Sam is a special player who has mastered a unique blend of skill and physicality in his game, becoming one of the most impactful postseason performers of his generation. He played an integral role in our two Stanley Cup championships, earning the franchise’s first Conn Smythe Trophy and is a dedicated contributor to our South Florida community off the ice. We are thrilled that he will continue his career with the Panthers.”
Tomáš Nosek
Center, Wing
The Florida Panthers have extended Tomáš Nosek to a one-year contract worth $775,000 per year. Nosek signed as a free agent with the Panthers last year and quickly became an integral member of the team’s fourth line alongside A.J. Greer and Jonah Gadjovich. He is a strong two-way center, crucial for winning faceoffs and killing penalties. During the 2024–2025 season, Nosek played in 59 regular season games and 10 playoff games. He notably sparked the team’s energy when his line was inserted during Game 3 of the Toronto series. Bill Zito spoke on what Nosek brings to the team.
“Tomáš is a stalwart centerman whose strong two-way play served an important role in our championship run this season. We are excited for Tomas and his family to remain with our organization for the upcoming season.”
Departures: Goodbye to our Champions
Jaycob Megna
Defenseman
Jaycob Megna signed a two-year contract worth $800,000 per year with the Vegas Golden Knights. Megna, who signed as a free agent with the Florida Panthers last year, appeared in 8 regular-season games.
Nate Schmidt
Defenseman
Nate Schmidt signed a three-year contract worth $3,500,000 per year with the Utah Mammoth. Schmidt, who signed as a free agent with the Florida Panthers last year, played a key role in helping Florida secure the franchise’s second Stanley Cup and his first career Cup. He appeared in 80 regular season games and 23 playoff games for the Panthers. During the regular season, he recorded 5 goals and 14 assists for a total of 19 points. Schmidt elevated his performance in the playoffs, contributing 3 goals and 9 assists for 12 points. Notably, two of his playoff goals came in Game 1 of the Tampa Bay Lightning series, helping secure that crucial victory. After the Panthers’ 2025 Stanley Cup win, Schmidt was the second player to receive the Cup when captain Aleksander Barkov passed it to him first as a tribute to his first championship and his veteran leadership.
Nico Sturm
Center, Wing
Nico Sturm signed a two-year contract worth $2,000,000 per year with the Minnesota Wild. Sturm, acquired by the Florida Panthers via trade on March 6, 2025, helped the team to its second Stanley Cup in franchise history, his second as well, having previously won in 2022 with the Colorado Avalanche. He appeared in 15 regular season games and 8 playoff games with the Panthers, excelling at winning faceoffs, killing penalties, and driving the fourth line.
Vítek Vaněček
Goaltender
Vítek Vaněček signed a one-year contract worth $1,500,000 per year with the Utah Mammoth. Vaněček, acquired via trade on March 5, 2025, played a key role in supporting the Florida Panthers’ second Stanley Cup championship while backing up Sergei Bobrovsky. He appeared in 7 regular season games, earning a shutout in his Panthers debut, and served as Bobrovsky’s backup throughout the entire 2024–2025 playoffs. In a touching moment, Jonah Gadjovich selected Vaněček to place the game-winning puck into the Stanley Cup puck board after the Panthers’ Game 5 victory (their third in the series) against the Edmonton Oilers in the Stanley Cup Final. That gesture encapsulates the epitome of the Florida Panthers’ dedication to selflessness, teamwork, and camaraderie.
TL;DR: Moving Parts—Who’s New, Who’s Back, Who’s Staying, and Who Left
Newest Signings: Welcome to FL: Brandon Bussi, Daniil Tarasov, Jack Studnicka, Jeff Petry, Kirill Gerasimyuk, Mackenzie Entwistle, and Nolan Foote
Re-Signed: These Cats Are Staying!: Aaron Ekblad, Brad Marchand, Sam Bennett, and Tomáš Nosek
Departures: Goodbye to our Champions: Jaycob Megna, Nate Schmidt, Nico Sturm, and Vítek Vaněček
Currently Unsigned: Members of the 2024-2025 Florida Panthers: Mackie Samoskevich (received a qualifying offer).
Florida Panthers Free Agent Groups: Group 2 RFAs: Tobias Bjornfot, Oliver Okuliar (signed in Sweden), Wilmer Skoog. Group 3 UFAs: Rasmus Asplund (signed in Switzerland), Evan Cormier, Zac Dalpe (retired on 7/7/2025), Kaapo Kahkonen (signed with the Montreal Canadians), Matt Kiersted (signed with the Minnesota Wild), William Lockwood, Jesse Puljujarvi. UFAs (did not receive a qualifiying offer): Nathan Staios, Zachary Uens.