Articles / Panthers’ Bill Zito Has Tough Decisions to Make on Players

Panthers’ Bill Zito Has Tough Decisions to Make on Players

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The Hockey Writers
Jun 23, 2025 3:50 PM

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As the Florida Panthers prepare for the upcoming season, general manager Bill Zito faces a series of critical decisions regarding the team's roster. With star players like Aleksander Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau leading the charge, the Panthers had a strong showing last season, but Zito must consider how to balance the team's competitiveness with financial constraints.

The recent acquisition of defenseman Ben Chiarot adds depth to the blue line, but Zito's attention will need to focus on upcoming contracts and potential trades. Players such as Aaron Ekblad and Sam Bennett are pivotal to the Panthers' success, but their contracts and performance levels will dictate how aggressive Zito can be in the market.

Zito's strategy may involve parting ways with some fringe players to create cap space. The potential cap implications of players like Frank Vatrano and Carter Verhaeghe could come into play as he seeks to solidify a roster capable of making a deep playoff run. Fans are eager to see if Zito will be bold enough to shake things up, knowing that every decision could be crucial for the franchise's future.

Ultimately, the choices made by Zito will not only reflect his vision for the Panthers but could also set the tone for how the team approaches the next few seasons. With the support of star players like Sergei Bobrovsky in goal, the Panthers are poised to make waves in the NHL if Zito makes the right moves.