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Florida Panthers Facing Ultimatum With Three Players: May Be Forced to Use Waivers

Originally posted on Blade of Steel | By Tom Banks | Last updated Jul 1, 2025 3:23 PM ET

The Florida Panthers are currently over the salary cap, and to get under by the start of the season, they may have to waive one of three key depth pieces.

Over the past week, the Florida Panthers have announced huge extensions for several key pieces, pulling off some business that nobody thought possible heading into the off-season.

Now however, they've reportedly got a huge decision to make to get salary cap compliant, as the team are currently $1.125 million over the salary cap, according to Puck Pedia on social media.

According to the report, the Panthers have one of three options to become compliant before the season starts; either they make a trade, waive these three eligible players (Greer, Gadjovich, Nosek) or Matthew Tkachuk begins the season on Long Term Injured Reserve.

While a trade or Tkachuk beginning the season on LTIR is possible, waiving all three of those depth pieces may be the most likely, even if it is the biggest potential risk of all options for GM Bill Zito.

After back-to-back Stanley Cups and seemingly every move he makes paying off however, there's optimism in Florida that the team can do the right bit of business here and get salary cap compliant before the 2025/26 campaign officially begins.

Ultimately, this is a Panthers team that have gotten to where they are by making the right move time and time again, and it wouldn't be a surprise if they did so again, and with all of their stars back for next season, this is a team that's on the verge of winning three straight Cups, something that hasn't been done since the New York Islanders of the 1980's.

This article first appeared on Blade of Steel and was syndicated with permission.

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