Panthers’ Brady Tkachuk Trade Could Lead to Goaltending Bind

The Florida Panthers wait for the 2026 NHL Draft this weekend and the start of free agency on July 1. After watching the Carolina Hurricanes win the Stanley Cup, they look to win their third over the course of the last four seasons.

Over the weekend, general manager Bill Zito shocked the hockey world once again. He acquired Ottawa Senators forward and captain Brady Tkachuk in exchange for two first-round picks in the upcoming draft, a top-ten protected first-round pick in 2029, and a second-round pick in 2027. He will play with his older brother, Matthew Tkachuk, with the hopes of establishing themselves as yet another dynamic brother duo in the history of the NHL.

And while the move solidifies their top nine as one of the strongest in the league, it comes at a cost. For a while, the team was linked to top goaltending targets across the league, as both of their goaltenders in Sergei Bobrovsky and Daniil Tarasov are expected to hit free agency. With their first round selections gone, what assets do they have to grab a goalie?

Connor Hellebuyck May Be Off the Table

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck has reportedly requested a trade out of Manitoba, and one of his desired locations is South Florida. And while he controls where he wants to go, general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff could want a better haul than what’s left for Florida to offer.

With the Panthers not having a first-round pick until 2030, they are left with limited assets. The Jets may ultimately turn down what might be left of a potential offer.

Tkachuk’s Contract Could Leave Them Strapped for Bringing in Someone

Brady’s contract carries an average annual value of $8.25 million for the next two seasons. This move, combined with others, leaves the team with a little more than $5.8 million in potential cap space.

If the Panthers are looking at potential goaltending options, they are going to have to ask the team they’re making the trade with to retain salary. For example, St. Louis Blues netminder Jordan Binnington carries a six-year, $36 million deal with a yearly average of $6 million per season. This could be a problem for Zito and company.

It May Force Them to Draft Someone This Weekend

With their limited resources, it could leave the Panthers with no other choice but to take someone in this weekend’s NHL Entry Draft.

While there are great options they could look into with Brady Knowling and Dimitri Borichev, there’s no guarantee that one or both will be available at 40th or 48th overall. As a result, they may have to trade back up into the first round.

Zito May Have a Plan in Place

Earlier this week, the Panthers acquired Philadelphia Flyers forward Garnet Hathaway, along with a 2026 sixth-round pick, in exchange for a 2026 fifth-round pick and a 2027 fourth-round pick. In addition, 50% of his salary was retained by the Flyers. He is a solid bottom-six forward and is great on the penalty kill.

That being said, those statements describe a couple of other players on the Panthers roster. So this move could have been done to set up a potential package to go out and grab a goalie. With the draft this weekend and free agency next week, there is the potential of another shockwave rippling through the NHL. And it may be something completely unexpected.