en-us SportSpyder - The Latest Florida Panthers News https://sportspyder.com/nhl/florida-panthers/news The longest offseason for the Florida Panthers since 2019 is coming to a close. In just a few weeks, the […] This article: originally appeared on Florida Hockey Now. Sat, 22 Aug 2026 11:50:34 GMT George Richards, FHN Publisher https://sportspyder.com/nhl/florida-panthers/articles/57666889 https://sportspyder.com/nhl/florida-panthers/articles/57666889 false false The Florida Panthers first selection of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft at Bell Centre in Montreal was defenseman Marek Alscher of the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks, who was taken in third round with the 93rd overall pick. During his draft season, Alscher appeared in 61 regular season games with the Winterhawks, producing seven goals and 16 points, while racking up 48 PIM and posting a plus-20 rating. Well regarded for his defensive play, Alscher helped the Winterhawks, who placed third in the Western Conference, finish with the fourth-best penalty kill percentage in the circuit. Alscher suited up in all 11 of Portland’s postseason games (0 points, -5, 17 PIM) as the club was eliminated in seven games by the Seattle Thunderbirds, the eventual league champions, after they swept the Prince George Cougars in the opening round. He also skated in eight international contests with Czechia’s U18 team, including four games at the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Prior to coming to North America, the 6-foot-3, 196-pound Czech also played two seasons with the Pelicans U18 club in Finland, recording six goals and 18 points over 60 regular season games. Alscher was rated 177th by NHL Central Scouting, #110 by EliteProspects and #106 by FCHOCKEY, so being selected in the third round indicates that Zito or a member of the scouting staff felt strongly about his potential, which is that of a reliable, punishing stay-at-home defenseman who can skate well. Ian Moran of had this to say about Alscher at the time: We like that he can switch back and forth from the left or right side with ease. We feel he was most impactful as a penalty killer where his ability to hold the defensive blueline forced offsides and poor decisions. While shorthanded he used his reach to force bobbled pucks to continue moving along the wall which eventually lead to 200′ clears and timely changes. He also showed the athleticism to drop to a knee when blocking a shot without getting caught leaning or ending up off balance. Alscher inked his entry-level deal with Florida on March 13, 2023, attended development camp in the summer and put in a short appearance at training camp before returning to Portland. In his second season with the Winterhawks, he suited up in 60 regular season games and increased his offensive numbers slightly, finishing with eight goals and 24 points. He registered 114 shots on goal, notched two game-winners, led the team with 67 PIM and posted a minus-three rating. Alscher appeared in all nine of Portland’s postseason games, producing four assists, as the Winterhawks bowed out in the second round again, getting the broom treatment from the Kamloops Blazers after they dispatched the Everett Silvertips in five games in the opening round. After his season in Portland ended, Alscher signed an ATO with the Charlotte Checkers on April 24, 2023. With the Checkers in the midst of a second-round meeting with eventual Calder Cup champions, the Hershey Bears, the 19-year-old was limited to practicing with the AHL club. Returning to Portland for 2023-24 campaign, Alscher enjoyed a fine third season in the WHL, establishing new career-highs in assists (19), points (26) and plus/minus (+32) while seeing duty in 57 regular season games. In the playoffs. the Winterhawks bounced Victoria, Everett and Prince George before getting swept in the league final by the Moose Jaw Warriors. Alscher lit the lamp twice and added three assists in the 18-game run. During the mid-point of the season, Alscher saw duty in seven games for Czechia at the World Junior Championship in Sweden, helping his country capture a bronze medal. Following another development camp and training camp in South Florida, Alscher decided to turn pro and spent the entirety of the 2024-25 season with the Checkers. As an AHL rookie, he appeared in 53 regular season games and produced two goals, eight assists and 36 PIM. His first professional point (an assist) came on October 18, in his second career game, and he notched his first goal on November 16, in Springfield. His first and only multi-point game occurred on November 29, in a 5-3 win over the Iowa Wild, when he scored the game-winner and drew an assist on a goal by Rasmus Asplund. In the Calder Cup playoffs, Charlotte head coach Geordie Kinnear showed a lot of confidence in Alscher, employing him in 17 of the club’s 18 games. He finished the postseason with two assists and 6 PIM. The 2025-26 campaign saw Alscher spend the majority for the season with the Checkers. He played in 52 games and set a new high with three goals, including one game-winner, and matched the eight assists he posted the year prior. Alscher registered 54 shots on goal, accumulated 32 PIM and finished with a team-best (tied with Sandis Vilmanis) plus-17 rating. With Florida’s blue line decimated by injuries, Alscher made his NHL debut on April 9 in a 5–1 loss against the Ottawa Senators, logging 19:28 of ice time. He earned his first NHL point in only his second game with the Pa... Sat, 22 Aug 2026 11:43:26 GMT Todd Little https://sportspyder.com/nhl/florida-panthers/articles/57666830 https://sportspyder.com/nhl/florida-panthers/articles/57666830 false false Three former Florida Panthers remain unsigned as NHL training camps approach, including Stanley Cup champions Reilly Smith and Vladimir Tarasenko, plus veteran Fri, 21 Aug 2026 22:05:25 GMT Ryan Gagne https://sportspyder.com/nhl/florida-panthers/articles/57662204 https://sportspyder.com/nhl/florida-panthers/articles/57662204 false false On this episode, Jake goes over ongoing Fall Camps for both the Panthers and Owls, in addition to names to look out for and CUSA Podcast Roundtable controversy! Fri, 21 Aug 2026 22:00:24 GMT Five Reasons Sports Network https://sportspyder.com/nhl/florida-panthers/articles/57662147 https://sportspyder.com/nhl/florida-panthers/articles/57662147 false false The team's No. 1 centre speaks publicly for the first time since his long-time teammate was dealt to the Florida Panthers. Fri, 21 Aug 2026 21:40:35 GMT Bruce Garrioch https://sportspyder.com/nhl/florida-panthers/articles/57661946 https://sportspyder.com/nhl/florida-panthers/articles/57661946 false false Another former Ottawa Senators teammate of Brady Tkachuk has broken his silence on his departure, as star center Tim Stutzle discusses the gaping hole the now-Florida Panthers winger has left. Fri, 21 Aug 2026 21:04:38 GMT Julian Gaudio https://sportspyder.com/nhl/florida-panthers/articles/57661525 https://sportspyder.com/nhl/florida-panthers/articles/57661525 false false Should the Calgary Flames look at extending Morgan Frost? Would the Florida Panthers be a fit for Patrik Laine? Going back to Arizona? Fri, 21 Aug 2026 18:27:39 GMT Mark Easson https://sportspyder.com/nhl/florida-panthers/articles/57659646 https://sportspyder.com/nhl/florida-panthers/articles/57659646 false false Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms… 🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LOFloridaPanthers?sid=YouTubeLocked On NHL League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Prospects... Fri, 21 Aug 2026 17:16:01 GMT Locked On Panthers (Florida) https://sportspyder.com/nhl/florida-panthers/articles/57658778 https://sportspyder.com/nhl/florida-panthers/articles/57658778 false false The summer has flown by, and we can see the beginning of the regular season on the horizon. It is a time of hope for every team, and the dreams… Fri, 21 Aug 2026 16:49:13 GMT Ryan Womeldorf https://sportspyder.com/nhl/florida-panthers/articles/57658410 https://sportspyder.com/nhl/florida-panthers/articles/57658410 false false Flying Fluffy Panthers Hockey brings you Florida Panthers and NHL highlights, live streams, and full game recaps all season long. Covering every Panthers gam... Fri, 21 Aug 2026 15:26:07 GMT Flying Fluffy Panthers Hockey https://sportspyder.com/nhl/florida-panthers/articles/57657279 https://sportspyder.com/nhl/florida-panthers/articles/57657279 false false Despite slipping from the top spot, the Florida Panthers remain one of the NHL's highest-rated front offices thanks to Bill Zito's aggressive roster-building st Fri, 21 Aug 2026 14:35:26 GMT Ryan Gagne https://sportspyder.com/nhl/florida-panthers/articles/57656700 https://sportspyder.com/nhl/florida-panthers/articles/57656700 false false Experience on-ice workouts, meet beloved mascots, and enjoy family activities at the Baptist Health IcePlex as the Panthers return to Fort Lauderdale for this free training camp celebration. Fri, 21 Aug 2026 12:51:53 GMT David Dwork https://sportspyder.com/nhl/florida-panthers/articles/57655672 https://sportspyder.com/nhl/florida-panthers/articles/57655672 false false We’re still in the midst of the hockey dog days of August, however, there were a smattering of interesting Florida Panthers tidbits on the interweb worth checking out. In The Athletic’s article, Cats forwards Sandis Vilmanis (ranked 133rd) and Simas Ignatavicius (ranked 138th) were placed in Tier 6 (Middle of the lineup player). Corey Pronman had this to say about Florida’s top two prospects: Vilmanis had a very positive season. He was quite good in the AHL and with Latvia’s senior team, and got extended time with Florida. He’s a fast, competitive winger who contributes at both ends of the ice. He’s not overly physical, but Vilmanis wins a lot of puck battles and always seems to be around the play. He has good hands, and while not overly creative, he can create chances by attacking in a direct way. He projects as a middle-six winger. A U.S.-born player of Lithuanian descent who has played for their senior national team and at the pro level in Switzerland, Ignatavicius is a legit NHL prospect. He’s a tall, fast winger with very good hands who projects to play and create chances at an NHL pace. His vision is fine, and he’s not overly physical. His compete level is a minor issue on his projection, but the toolkit is so good that he could still be a middle-six winger. Sticking with The Athletic, Sean McIndoe’s cited this example for the Panthers: The stories we’re telling today span many legacies, but could I interest you in a Manny Legace? (Crickets chirp, tumbleweed blows by.) Anyway, he stopped 49 of 50 shots in his debut, helping the Los Angeles Kings steal a point in a 1-1 tie in Florida in 1998. Ryan Dixon’s looked at the ten best performances by players 41 or older in league history. 4. Jaromir Jagr, Florida Panthers, 43 years old, 2015-16 Playing for his eighth NHL franchise, Jagr netted 27 goals and 66 points for a Florida team that finished first in the Atlantic Division. The only Panther to score more goals than Jagr that year was a young 20-year-old buck named Aleksander Barkov, who posted 28. Jagr received MVP votes 25 years after he debuted as an 18-year-old with the Penguins. After sifting through 80,490 submissions, the New York Islanders announced Thursday that their fans have selected “” as their specialty sweater concept for the 2027-28 season. The Detroit Red Wings acquired the rights to forward Sutter Muzzatti from the Nashville Predators in exchange for future considerations. Detroit then signed Muzzatti to a two-year, entry-level contract. Muzzatti produced 13 goals and 19 assists during his senior season at Notre Dame. The New York Rangers re-signed defenseman Scott Morrow to a one-year, two-way contract worth $850K at the NHL level. Morrow played 29 with the Rangers (6A) and 34 games with the Hartford Wolf Pack (5G/14A) last season. Fri, 21 Aug 2026 11:52:56 GMT Todd Little https://sportspyder.com/nhl/florida-panthers/articles/57655181 https://sportspyder.com/nhl/florida-panthers/articles/57655181 false false Check out the latest Montreal Canadiens news, including Gleb Pugachyov's in-depth prospect profile, the goalie situation, and more. Fri, 21 Aug 2026 11:08:53 GMT Marc Dumont https://sportspyder.com/nhl/florida-panthers/articles/57654804 https://sportspyder.com/nhl/florida-panthers/articles/57654804 false false