The Florida Panthers have signed defenseman Mikulas Hovorka to a one-year, two-way contract.
The Florida Panthers are bringing back restricted free agent defenseman Mikulas Hovorka, signing the Czech defender to a one-year, two-way contract.
The 6-foot-6 right-handed shooting defenseman was undrafted and signed with the Panthers in 2024. Hovorka appeared in four NHL games this season, recording one assist and averaging 14:55 of ice time.
Hovorka has spent the past two seasons in the AHL, featuring in 117 games, notching eight goals and 28 points. Prior to moving to North America, Hovorka skated in the Czech Extraliga with HC Motor České Budějovice.
The 25-year-old defenseman’s deal carries an NHL cap hit of $850,000, an AHL salary of $100,000, and a guaranteed salary of $150,000 for the 2026-27 campaign, according to puckpedia.com.
Although Hovorka will start the season in the AHL, he’ll be considered one of the first defensemen to receive a call-up if any injuries occur, alongside Tobias Bjornfot, Marek Alscher, and Donovan Sebrango.
With extra defenseman on the roster like Uvis Balinskis and Alexander Petrovic, Hovorka’s chances of finding many NHL games during the 2026-27 season are fairly slim.
Nonetheless, he’ll be a prominent player for the Charlotte Checkers in the AHL.
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