The Florida Panthers have made another trade, acquiring Garnet Hathaway and a 2026 sixth-round pick from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for a 2026 fifth-round pick and a 2027 fourth-round pick. 

The Flyers will also retain 50 percent of Hathaway’s salary, leaving the Panthers to pay just $1.2 million of his contract, which expires at the end of the 2026-27 season.

“Garnet is a physical and highly competitive player who will complement our group well,” said Panthers GM Bill Zito. “We’re excited to add his veteran presence to our group for the upcoming season.”

Hathaway is a physical, defensive winger who will be a nuisance on the Panthers fourth line. Hathaway struggled to contribute offensively last season, scoring just one goal and three points in 66 games, but he will be a trustworthy defender who the Panthers can use on the penalty kill.

With news that A.J. Greer is testing the free agent market, the Panthers required another physical fourth-liner, and that’s what Hathaway will be. 

Heading into the 2026 NHL draft, the Panthers now own two second-round picks, a fourth-round pick, two sixth-round picks, and a seventh-round pick. 

With the Hathaway trade, the Panthers’ forward group seems fairly solidified. Now, the biggest question mark is what the Panthers will do in goal.

With limited assets to trade and little salary cap space, Zito must be creative to give the Panthers the backstopper they need to be contenders. 

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