Flyers Move Hathaway to Florida Panthers to Replace Key Departing UFA

The Philadelphia Flyers have traded veteran forward Garnet Hathaway to the Florida Panthers, with Philadelphia retaining 50 percent of his contract in the deal, GM Daniel Briere announced Thursday. Pierre LeBrun writes, “Hathaway at a reduced $1.2 million cap hit becomes the replacement for A.J. Greer who is going to market Wednesday. Tidy piece of business for Florida again.”

One could argue that the age gap and point production don’t make Hathaway a suitable replacement, but it’s easy to see what the Panthers might be trying to accomplish here.

In exchange for Hathaway and a 2026 sixth-round pick, the Flyers receive a 2026 fifth-round pick and a 2027 fourth-round pick from Florida — a modest but sensible return for a depth forward in the final chapter of his NHL career.

Hathaway, a Naples, Florida native, spent three seasons in Philadelphia from 2023 to 2026, posting 18 goals, 23 assists, and 41 points in 215 games with the club. The 33-year-old brings exactly what a championship-contending team like Florida is looking for — physical play, veteran leadership, and the kind of gritty, north-south game that thrives in playoff hockey. Returning to his home state adds a personal touch to the move.

Over 11 NHL seasons with Philadelphia, Boston, Washington, and Calgary, Hathaway has accumulated 163 points — 76 goals and 87 assists — across 672 career games, cementing his reputation as one of the league’s most dependable energy forwards.

For Philadelphia, the move clears cap space and adds future draft assets as the Flyers continue their rebuild. With their 2026 Draft selections now set at picks 21, 53, 136, and 213, Briere and company head into draft weekend with plenty of opportunity to add young talent to a rising pipeline.

Panthers Get Greer Replacement, What About Hellebuyck?

For the Panthers and their cap situation, it adds another $1.2 million to their roster. Will this impact speculation that they are still in the market for Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets? They cut into their space to add him, also moving a couple of later round picks that could have been tossed into a deal. Then again, if they move a roster player for him Hellebuyck, (like Anton Lundell), there’s room to get this done.

Next: 6 Blockbuster NHL Trades We’re Expecting Any Minute Now