The Florida Panthers will likely be without Matthew Tkachuk until January [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/matthew-tkachuk-will-miss-part-of-season-after-having-surgery-per-report], which gives them plenty of time before being forced to trade any players off their roster, but when the time comes, interesting conversations will need to commence. One of those players who could very likely be involved in those conversations is defenseman Ulvis Balinskis. The 29-year-old left-handed defenseman is entering his third year with the Panthers organization, but he is currently on the outside looking in when referring to roster projections. He had a strong offensive year with the Panthers in 2024-25, notching four goals and 18 points in 76 games, but he had his issues defensively at times. He finished the season with a Corsi For percentage of 48.70 according to Natural Stat Trick [https://www.naturalstattrick.com/playerteams.php?fromseason=20242025&thruseason=20242025&stype=3&sit=5v5&score=all&stdoi=oi&rate=n&team=FLA&pos=S&loc=B&toi=0&gpfilt=none&fd=&td=&tgp=410&lines=single&draftteam=ALL], which was the lowest among Panthers defenseman. Balinskis will start the season on the Panthers roster, but when Tkachuk returns, Balinskis is a prime candidate to be sent down to the Charlotte Checkers. The Panthers would likely rather keep Balinkskis in the organization than trade him. He's a serviceable seventh defenseman who they know will do what is asked of him. The risk is that he could be claimed off waivers, and the Panthers receive nothing in return. Uvis Balinskis (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/d977cab0-7e85-48e6-83bc-4c8de2cbe2b1.jpeg] Uvis Balinskis (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images) The Panthers have a logjam of forwards [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/florida-panthers-sign-forward-luke-kunin-to-one-year-deal], which could help Balinskis' case to stay up with the big club following Tkachuk's return, but it's not a given that he remains on the Panthers' roster. When inserted in the Panthers' lineup, Balinskis will have to prove himself to the front office and coaching staff. Panthers defenseman Uvis Balinskis visits youth hockey rink while sharing Stanley Cup with Latvian hometown [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/7791a5b8-5027-4e7c-8aed-f16213a9c6b9.webp] Panthers defenseman Uvis Balinskis visits youth hockey rink while sharing Stanley Cup with Latvian hometown Earlier this week, the Stanley Cup was brought to one of the most hockey-crazed nations around: Latvia. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/players/PjxGx0xLSZe6XfxTCKhd]
