Florida has been on the move in the trade market as of late, and in a big way. Earlier today, they sent pivots Evan Rodrigues and Jesper Boqvist, as well as d-man Ben Steeves, to New Jersey in exchange for goaltender Jacob Markstrom and winger Angus Crookshank. This follows up a deal where they acquired goaltender Akira Schmid from Vegas for a 2028 3rd round pick. Markstrom and Schmid will serve as the Panthers’ goaltending duo to replace the departing Sergei Bobrovsky, who is leaving Florida to pursue a long-term contract Florida wouldn’t commit to. Also, to shore up its D-corps Florida sent winger AJ Greer to Anaheim for d-man Radko Gudas. This will be Gudas’s second stint with the team following a three-year run from 2020-23.
Gudas’s departure marks the second established NHL d-man with whom Anaheim recently parted ways. On Day 2 of the draft, the Ducks sent John Carlson to Carolina in exchange for a 2026 6th round pick and d-man Kyle Masters. The Canes have until the start of free agency to sign Carlson, as his contract expired following the 2025-26 season. Carlson’s contract demands are said to be in the neighborhood of 2 years and $10 million per year, but it also is widely known he would like to return to an East Coast Cup contender.