Panthers urgency to make a move sooner then expected, conversations are happening
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Jonathan Ouimet
Dec 6, 2025 (12:23)
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Photo credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
The Florida Panthers keep absorbing hits and now face a moment where patience might give way to action in the market. Elliotte Friedman hinted they could «make a call» soon, and the timing says plenty.
Florida's recent skid, coupled with a growing injury list, has stretched the roster to thin margins. The club continues to play without Aleksander Barkov while awaiting clarity on his potential LTIR timeline, a detail that directly shapes what kind of salary they can add.
Friedman's note was careful, not forecasting a move, but acknowledging that conversations are happening sooner than expected.
The pressure makes sense. Florida has lost ground during this long homestand, dropping four straight and five at home, its worst run in Sunrise since 2020. Their goal scoring has dipped to seven goals across those four losses, and the lineup churn has left head coach Paul Maurice piecing together combinations that change nightly.
Florida Panthers seek stability amid uncertainty
As a fan, hearing Friedman float the idea of a meaningful call feels like a signal that management sees the same urgency the room does. Injuries can explain the inconsistency, but results still matter, and Florida's execution has wobbled in tight moments that once swung their way.
The LTIR question around Barkov complicates everything. Without knowing his exact timeline, general manager Bill Zito cannot confidently add major salary unless he believes the captain's status will open space long enough to absorb a move.
That is why the suggestion of «making a call» carries weight, since it implies Florida might gather options ahead of final cap clarity.
Depth has been hammered. Matthew Tkachuk remains out, Tomas Nosek and Dmitry Kulikov have missed long stretches, and several forwards have been patched in from below the lineup.
Florida's system thrives on tempo and support routes, and both erode when half the lineup is recovering.The Panthers face the Columbus Blue Jackets and New York Islanders this weekend, a back-to-back set that could steady their footing or tighten the squeeze.
Going into that stretch with open dialogue on trade help signals one thing clearly, Florida is not content to ride this turbulence without exploring solutions.
If the right deal presents itself, and if Barkov's LTIR evaluation gives them the space, the Panthers might move faster than anyone expected. For a team built to contend now, urgency feels earned.