Looks like we (almost) made it ♪ It’s Friday, March 6, and the NHL’s trade deadline is upon us. After 3:00 p.m. ET today, no more deals can be made.
Yesterday, the Florida Panthers traded veteran defenseman Jeff Petry to the Minnesota Wild for a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. The pick becomes a fifth-round selection if Minnesota wins two playoff rounds and Petry plays in 50% or more of the Wild’s postseason games during those first two rounds.
The 38-year-old Petry collected eight assists in 58 games with the Panthers this season.
With their playoff chances diminishing on the daily, the Cats should be willing to entertain any offers on pending UFAs Sergei Bobrovsky, A.J. Greer, Tomas Nosek and Daniil Tarasov, if the latter does not fit into their future plans.
Early this week, the Cats signed Charlotte Checkers journeyman goaltender Louis Domigue to a two-way contract, bolstoring recallable depth at the position for the rest of the season.
Whether that signals that Bill Zito is serious about dealing Bobrovsky or Tarasov remains to be seen. Trading the two-time Stanley Cup and Vezina-winner would be a huge (and sad) move with major ramifications for the future.
Sticking with the Checkers, Noah Gregor, Luke Kunin and Jack Studnicka are forwards with NHL experience on expiring contracts.
So, what will Zito & Co. do today? I don’t really expect them to outright add, but I would expect a departure or two, maybe more. Greer is certainly an attractive piece for a playoff-bound team and what happens with Bobrovsky is something both Panthers fans and fans around the league are paying very close attention to.
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