Locked On Panthers - Daily Podcast On The Florida Panthers

On today's edition of the Locked On FLORIDA Panthers Podcast, Armando Velez(@Mandoman12) is here to discuss the report from the Detroit Free Press on Dylan Larkin's preferred destinations as the Panthers are on of his three teams (along with Vegas and Minnesota) that he would like to get traded to this offseason. Goaltender Cooper Black and the Cats agreed to a two-year deal, could Black make his debut this season, and is there a path to the NHL with one year left of waivers exemption? Why does Sergei Bobrovsky ultimately want top dollar in his next deal? We...

On today's edition of the Locked On FLORIDA Panthers Podcast, Armando Velez(@Mandoman12) brought in Kirby Lupul(@KJ_Lups) of the Cats n' Rats Podcast to discuss the latest from the NHL Draft Combine in Buffalo. Viggo Bjork told the media that the Florida Panthers took him out to dinner during the week of the combine, do the Panthers make the pick if he is available at nine. Do they think they have better NHL options in the current pipeline that could take the place of Evan Rodrigues or an Eetu Luostarinen who are in contract years? One glaring...

On today's edition of the Locked On FLORIDA Panthers Podcast, Armando Velez(@Mandoman12) is here with Nich Fairbanks(@Prudentia0) for another edition of Fairbanks Friday. The two discuss how there could be a shake up in the Atlantic Division with the report that Red Wings C Dylan Larkin has requested a trade out of Detroit. The Panthers have been a model franchise where players want to migrate to as oppose to requesting a trade out of the organization. The Panthers are not in a position to try to trade for Larkin, and the guys explain how it would not...

On today's edition of the Locked On FLORIDA Panthers Podcast, Armando Velez(@Mandoman12) is here to discuss the Elliotte Friedman report of F AJ Greer likely going to market when it opens on July 1st. After playing a bigger role in 2025-26 and scoring 17 goals, and a Cup championship on his resume, he is set to get his last major contract as he is currently in his prime. Is his point production in 2025-26 his actual ceiling? Which teams could step up and give Greer the bag? With what the Panthers got out of depth players toward the end...

On today's edition of the Locked On FLORIDA Panthers Podcast, Armando Velez(@Mandoman12) is here with Jacob Winans(@JakeW_8) for another edition of Winans Wednesday. The two discuss the NHL going to an international format for the All-star game with a round robin 3-on-3 tournament. Will the lack of a long two-week tournament create excitement for the event? The Locked On Host are in the process of conducting their mock draft. Although the Panthers on not on the clock yet, we have an idea of who could fall to the Cats at 9. Lastly, is Defenseman an abolute lock at...

On today's edition of the Locked On FLORIDA Panthers Podcast, Armando Velez(@Mandoman12) is here to discuss the signing of 2024 3rd Round pick LHD Matvei Shuravin. The Panthers prospect pool is thin at the blue line and not a lot of numbers as far as contract, and with Shuravin going through multiple levels this past season in Russia, this is seen as a long term project. Could Shuravin make his debut in 2027-28? Carolina Hurricanes have had stellar goaltending during the Stanley Cup Final, but one big factor in Frederik Andersen's play was getting reliable starts from Brandon Bussi...

On today's edition of the Locked On FLORIDA Panthers Podcast, Armando Velez(@Mandoman12) is here to discuss Aleksander Barkov and Anton Lundell winning Gold for Finland as they defeated host nation Switzerland by a final of 1-0 in OT, with Lundell getting the primary assist on Konsta Helenius' winner. Despite a season where the club team was battered with injuries, it was a successful year with multiple medals at the Olympics and now two Cats who got themselves two-thirds of the way to Triple Gold. Who will be the first Panther(s) to accomplish triple gold all with the...

On today's edition of the Locked On FLORIDA Panthers Podcast, Armando Velez(@Mandoman12) is here to discuss the loss for team USA in the IIHF World Championship Quarterfinals after losing 4-0 to Canada. We're going to have to wait until we see an American hockey player be part of the triple gold club. With Finland's 4-1 win over Czechia, Aleksander Barkov and Anton Lundell have a chance now to get two-thirds of the way there as they have advanced to the semifinals. This years Eastern Conference Final is very reminiscent of a previous playoff series from the Panthers on...

On today's edition of the Locked On FLORIDA Panthers Podcast, Armando Velez(@Mandoman12) is here with Jacob Winans(@JakeW_8) to discuss what the past has said about players who were passed up at number nine. We discuss that even though Florida is at an advantageous position, they also know that their decision could come with consequences. There is an example of a few ninths overall picks who ended up not on the team that drafted them shortly after making the selection. The two also discuss which players are projected to possibly fall after ninth that the Cats could surprise...

On today's edition of the Locked On FLORIDA Panthers Podcast, Armando Velez(@Mandoman12) is here to discuss Sandis Vilamanis leading the way for team Latvia in the World Championships, contributing to almost half the goals, as they are on to the Quarterfinals. Matthew Tkachuk continues to get in on the scoring for the USA, playing in just four of the seven round robin games as they will advance to the Quarterfinals to face Canada. Barkov (at the time of recording) continued to get on the scoring, knocking in two goals in Finland's final round robin game against host nation...

On today's edition of the Locked On FLORIDA Panthers Podcast, Armando Velez(@Mandoman12) is here with Nich Fairbanks(@Prudentia0) as the two discuss how other Vezina Trophy goaltenders got compensated as they hit their late 30's. The two also discuss Bill Zito truly having the hammer, and is it a situation where they can afford to have Bobrovsky and a goaltender on a mimimum salary, or must they go all-in on the succession plan? How does that effect the rest of the roster? Lastly, The Athletic put out a model on how the Panthers are situated and it matches...

On today's edition of the Locked On FLORIDA Panthers Podcast, Armando Velez(@Mandoman12) is here to discuss one stop-gap defense option that could work for the Cats for them to sign in free agency this offseason. What could the compensation look like with a rising cap? We also give letter grades to Anton Lundell, Eetu Luostarinen and Brad Marchand for their 2025-26 season. We discuss all of this and more on today's edition of the Locked On FLORIDA Panthers Podcast: Your Team, Every Day.

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On today's edition of the Locked On FLORIDA Panthers Podcast, Armando Velez(@Mandoman12) and Jacob Winans(@JakeW_8) discuss the likelihood of the Panthers down just for assets and not a player. Compensation from the ninth overall pick does not bring the best of chances of getting a future high draft pick. With the Cats having a volume of picks outside of round 1 even in future drafts, does it matter to get even more when the team believe's they're in "win now" mode? The guys also go over some statistics on the chances of a pick at ninth overall playing...

On today's edition of the Locked On FLORIDA Panthers Podcast, Armando Velez(@Mandoman12) is here to discuss with what the remaining starting goaltenders are making, how important it is for the Panthers Front Office to be committed to a certain number and not go past that in their attempt to re-sign Sergei Bobrovsky. Carolina is in the conference final again, and are seen as a heavy favorite over Montreal. The bogeyman Panthers are not there to spoil the party, is the narrative valid of the Canes' path not being the most difficult? Carolina will set a record of days...

On today's edition of the Locked On FLORIDA Panthers Podcast, Armando Velez(@Mandoman12) is here to discuss Aleksander Barkov dominating the World Championships at Finland is undefeated through three games. Barkov is not on a minutes restriction neither, so a positive sign that he'll be able to do so from the start of the upcoming season. Panthers are looking for a new director of salary cap manegement, could they look to a former front office executive from a rival team to fill in that open position? We also give out season grades to Evan Rodrigues, Matthew Tkachuk and Sam...

On today's edition of the Locked On FLORIDA Panthers Podcast, Armando Velez(@Mandoman12) and Nich Fairbanks(@Prudentia0) are here to discuss the possibilities of a reunion from previous playoff runs now that the Cats have more cap space at their disposal. What are the reunions they'd like to see and what are the ones that Florida should stay away from. Five players will represent the Panthers at the World Championships, what are Team USA's chances? Which draft eligibles are playing? We discuss all of this and more on today's edition of the Locked On FLORIDA Panthers Podcast: Your Team...

On today's edition of the Locked On FLORIDA Panthers Podcast, Armando Velez(@Mandoman12) is here to discuss the possibility of F Mackie Samoskevich signing an offer sheet with another organization now that he is eligible for one or can go to arbitration. We discuss what the Panthers would get back if they don't match an offer sheet and what their draft capital could look like in 2027. We look if the Panthers match it, it could have them in a squeeze to re-sign some other players. There's a chance that he or Jesper Boqvist could be on the trade block...

On today's edition of the Locked On FLORIDA Panthers Podcast, Armando Velez(@Mandoman12) is here with Jacob Winans(@JakeW_8) to discuss his thoughts on the lottery, and where they believe the draft really begins. The two go over some of the Mock Drafts and who has been mocked to the Cats. They also discuss some of the players that Florida has passed on, are they in agreement? We discuss all of this and more on today's edition of the Locked On FLORIDA Panthers Podcast: Your Team, Every Day.

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On today's edition of the Locked On FLORIDA Panthers Podcast, Armando Velez(@Mandoman12) is here to discuss the ninth overall pick. We discuss the biggest hits, but also if the teams were able to succeed with them. We also discuss the biggest busts, but also chat about them not affecting their ability to contend. We also conclude with how this could shape out for the Panthers depending on which way they go in the draft. Wd discuss all this and more on today's edition of the Locked On FLORIDA Panthers Podcast: Your Team, Every Day.

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On today's edition of the Locked On FLORIDA Panthers Podcast, Armando Velez(@Mandoman12) is here to discuss the news of Panthers Director of Hockey Operations and Salary Cap Management Braden Birch leaving the Cats organization to become an Assistant General Manager for the New Jersey Devils under Sunny Mehta, where he was also assigned as the GM of the AHL's Utica Comets. Sportsnets Elliote Friedman discussed last week that he wonders if there's a chance that former captain of the Panthers and Director of Player Personnel Bryan McCabe could be next to joining Sunny Mehta in the Devils front...

On today's edition of the Locked On FLORIDA Panthers Podcast, Armando Velez(@Mandoman12) is here with Nich Fairbanks(@Prudentia0) to discuss Captain Aleksander Barkov returning to the ice with Team Finland as we are a week away from the World Championships beginning in Zurich Switzerland, and 224 day from the time he went down in training to Thursday, Barkov showed how he has beat the odds regarding the ability to recover from his injury. Matthew Tkachuk announced on the Wingmen Pod earlier this week that he will in fact head to World Championships, but after the initial roster announcement, is...

On today's edition of the Locked On FLORIDA Panthers Podcast, Armando Velez(@Mandoman12) is here to go over some history with the teams who went from Cup Champion to into the lottery, and how they handled their lottery picks. Goalies have been traded for first rounders before, but is it the responsible thing to do? Lastly, the salary cap is officially going to be at $104M, what's the best course of action regarding bridge contracts vs. long term deals? We discuss all of this and more on today's edition of the Locked On FLORIDA Panthers Podcast: Your Team, Every...

On today's edition of the Locked On FLORIDA Panthers Podcast, Armando Velez(@Mandoman12) is here to discuss how the draft lottery turned out, where the Panthers had the 8th best lottery odds, and dropped down a spot where the Toronto Maple Leafs won the draft lottery to get the number one overall pick, and the San Jose Sharks getting the second pick, where they jumped the Cats. We discuss the times where the Panthers have dropped in their lottery position and the times where they have jumped up both happening three times since 2000. Sometimes it's worked out for the...

On today's edition of the Locked On FLORIDA Panthers Podcast, Armando Velez(@Mandoman12) is here to discuss what is at stake for tonight's draft lottery. If they happen to finish first or second, it's likely going to be an immediate plug-and-play situation, with the top two prospects being wingers, it could decide the futures of two players whose contracts are set to expire in 2027. We also discuss the unlikelihood of the Panthers going for a Center in the first round, but the options that are available. The fact that two of the Cats bottom two defensemen's contracts expire in...

On today's edition of the Locked On FLORIDA Panthers Podcast, Armando Velez(@Mandoman12) is here to discuss how the Panthers have the most to gain from the draft lottery based on their window of contention. We discuss where the other teams who could get the number one pick, and where they are as far as taking the next step to contend, and how often they have had the first pick in the draft. The Panthers are most likely to finish in the eighth spot in the draft, which is a place where they've never drafted before, but history has...

On today's edition of the Locked On FLORIDA Panthers Podcast, Armando Velez(@Mandoman12) brought in Nich Fairbanks(@Prudentia0) for another edition of Fairbanks Friday. The two discuss how they remember the goal that changed everything, when Carter Verhaeghe scored in OT to give the 8th seeded Panthers the win in game 7 to advance to the second round and completed the greatest upset in Stanley Cup Postseason History. The two also discuss their player grades for the rest of the D corps for the bottom pair that played a majority of the season together, along with the rest of the...

On today's edition of the Locked On FLORIDA Panthers Podcast, Armando Velez(@Mandoman12) is here with Jacob Winans(@JakeW_8) for another edition of Winans Wednesday. The two discuss the report from last week of former President/CEO of Sunrise Sports and Entertainment, Michael Yormark getting offered the position as the Athletic Director at the University of Miami. The guys discuss Yormark's time with the Panthers, how it was not best regarding the fan experience and how the culture was when he ran the show. Although it's been over a decade since he left to join Roc Nation, will he...

On today's edition of the Locked On FLORIDA Panthers Podcast, Armando Velez(@Mandoman12) is here to discuss some of the noise surrounding Brady Tkachuk's future with the Ottawa Senators. Although Florida would be a great landing spot, along with a brotherly reuinion, there have been trade proposals suggesting Anton Lundell to be part of a package sent back for a trade, and we pour a lot of cold water on it. It's viewed as an outlier season for the Panthers with the injuries, but it's uncommon to see more than one sweep in the first round of the playoffs...

On today's edition of the Locked On FLORIDA Panthers Podcast, Armando Velez(@Mandoman12) is here with Nich Fairbanks(@Prudentia0) for another edition of Fairbanks Friday. The two discuss how the regular season has a new purpose with the Cats being out of the playoffs, and the lack of power play production along with inability to get goals from the blue lines had them behind the eight ball more often than usual. Elliotte Friedman put out that he would not be surprised if the Panthers attempt to trade for G Jordan Binnington if they can't agree to a contract with...

On today's edition of the Locked On FLORIDA Panthers Podcast, Armando Velez(@Mandoman12) is here to discuss the Charlotte Checkers dominance in Game 1 against Springfield, winning by a final of 8-1, as they set a postseason record by goals scored and margin of victory. The Philadelphia Flyers lead their series 3-0, and there are similarities to what the Panthers have done on their way to their two championships, what are they? The Panthers got bullied by the Lightning in 2022, and then learned how to be the bully. Now that the Panthers are not in the dance this year, the...

On today's edition of the Locked On FLORIDA Panthers Podcast, Armando Velez(@Mandoman12) brought in Jacob Winans(@JakeW_8) for another edition of Winans Wednesday. The two discuss Sunny Mehta meeting with the media as he was introduced as the new General Manager of his hometown New Jersey Devils. The two discuss if how many parallels there are as the Devils are viewed as a team with a bunch of untapped potential. Mehta discussed a lot about his time with the Cats and what he learned from Bill Zito. No secret that the Panthers were disappointed in not making the...

On today's edition of the Locked On FLORIDA Panthers Podcast, Armando Velez(@Mandoman12) is here to discuss what Bill Zito had to say about how the group played toward the end, how sometimes one could not tell if the Panthers were down record wise. When a team wins it all, there's more grace for a group when they experience the injuries that the Panthers have. As far as other teams who have been on long playoff runs, and not gotten it done, the pressure it only mounting. There will be consequences for multiple teams if they don't get the...

On today's edition of the Locked On FLORIDA Panthers Podcast, Armando Velez(@Mandoman12) is here to discuss the desire for Sergei Bobrovsky to sign a new contract with the Panthers, but the fact that the two sides are reportedly not even close on an agreement. New playoff cap rules are in place, and the Panthers would've been in trouble had they made it. It give the Panther front office time to adjust if they were to make it back to the dance in 2026-27. It is a lost year? The Panthers certainly don't think so. We discuss all of...

On today's edition of the Locked On FLORIDA Panthers Podcast, Armando Velez(@Mandoman12) brought in Florida Panthers Historian Francisco Oporta(@FLACatsHistory) to discuss the news that with the San Jose Sharks and St. Louis Blues winning their matchups on Thursday night (all they needed was one point each), it guarantees that the Panthers will not fall out of the Top 10 and will keep the first round pick in 2026 that was traded to Chicago in the Seth Jones trade. Florida's first to Chicago is now a 2027 unprotected pick, and the first round pick to Boston becomes a 2028 unprotected pick. Now...

On today's edition of the Locked On FLORIDA Panthers Podcast, Armando Velez(@Mandoman12) is here to break down the Panthers 8-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings. It was a game where the Cats sat out more guys in D Gustav Forsling and F Tomas Nosek, and after it being up one after 20 minutes, the team exploded for four goals in a short span to as the blowout began. There were loads of firsts regarding NHL points (Skoog, Hovorka, and Jansson), and goals (Benning with his first two goals), the first time the Panthers had a game where they...

On today's edition of the Locked On FLORIDA Panthers Podcast, Armando Velez(@Mandoman12) is here with Jacob Winans(@JakeW_8) to discuss their feelings as the Panthers have arrived at Game 82. We tally the man games lost to injury and how that's been the reason for the Panthers downfall in 2025-26. The two discuss the latest update on what would need to happen for the Panthers to guarantee their Top 10 pick, and preview tonight's game between them and the Detroit Red Wings. We discuss all of this and more on today's edition of the Locked On FLORIDA Panthers Podcast: Your...

On today's edition of the Locked On FLORIDA Panthers Podcast, Armando Velez(@Mandoman12) is here to break down the Panthers 3-2 win over the New York Rangers, where Cole Reinhardt scored his second of his two goals with 1:50 left in the third period to carry them to the win, and avoiding the sweep. The Panthers were pinned in their own end and the coaching staff gave the tough assignments to the young guys down the stretch, and they succeeded where it was the fourth shot of the period for Florida that got them the win. Daniil Tarasov came up...

On today's edition of the Locked On FLORIDA Panthers Podcast, Armando Velez(@Mandoman12) is here to break down the Panthers' 6-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Although the Panthers dressed a "tank worthy" roster, they outworked the Leafs who had more top-end talent dressed. Although it helped Toronto's lottery odds, the Panthers showed why Culture matters more. It's been a year of injuries, but it's also been a year of great development as there have been seven NHL debuts this season. From guys being sent up and down from the NHL to AHL, what are the chances that...

On today's edition of the Locked On FLORIDA Panthers Podcast, Armando Velez(@Mandoman12) is here with Nich Fairbanks(@Prudentia0) to discuss the Panthers 5-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators, where the Panthers were even more shorthanded. It was announced during the morning skate that D Seth Jones broke his foot during the teams loss in Montreal, which resulted in the Panthers calling up D Marek Alscher and D Ludvig Jansson, both drafted in the 2022 class. Florida settled things down after going down two, but where they could only contain the Sens for so long when they could not solve...

On today's edition of the Locked On FLORIDA Panthers Podcast, Armando Velez(@Mandoman12) is here with Jacob Winans(@JakeW_8) to break down the Panthers' 4-3 shootout loss to the Montreal Canadiens, as they are swept for the second year in a row, and now have lost eight straight against the Habs. Florida despite missing Matthew Tkachuk due to the birth of his child, held their own and controlled most of the game, keeping Montreals superstars at bay until the final moments of the game. Panthers got multiple goals in transition thanks to Carter Verhaeghe and Cole Reinhardt, and were...