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Panthers Expected to Make Surprise Trade After Exceeding Salary Cap, One Player Reportedly on the Hot Seat

Originally posted on Blade of Steel | By Tom Banks | Last updated Jul 3, 2025 9:29 PM ET

The Florida Panthers are now over the salary cap, and as a result, speculation has continued over the potential that the team trade veteran Evan Rodrigues.

After two straight Stanley Cup wins, the Florida Panthers have set themselves up for the future, inking all of Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad and Brad Marchand to long-term extensions this summer.

While all three were fantastic moves, this has left the Panthers sitting over the salary cap, and while there's a chance they could waive some veterans to get under the cap, the most likely situation right now is that they will have to make a trade.

With so much talent, the Panthers have several options of players they can trade and still be Stanley Cup favourites heading into 2025/26, and according to reports, they've seemingly made up their mind on who they would trade first.

According to James Mirtle of The Athletic, speculation around the league is that it could be veteran Evan Rodrigues on the way out, and given that they've got the pieces to fill his role, he's likely the player that makes most sense.

Over the next two years, Rodrigues will earn $3 million per season, and given that the Panthers are just a little over the salary cap, moving him out will make them compliant without losing one of their top names.

Still, the loss of Rodrigues would hurt the team, as he's stepped up in the post-season in recent years, tallying 9 goals and 30 points over the past two Stanley Cup runs, and while it would no doubt be tough for Panthers fans to see the key veteran moved, if they need to make way to get under the cap, he's the player that makes the most sense.

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

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