Wild Acquire Veteran Defenseman Jeff Petry from Panthers

38-year-old Petry reaches 1,000-game milestone in NHL career

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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The Minnesota Wild have acquired veteran defenseman Jeff Petry from the Florida Panthers ahead of the NHL trade deadline. Petry, a 38-year-old native of Ann Arbor, Michigan, recently played in his 1,000th career NHL game earlier this season with the Panthers.

Why it matters

The addition of Petry provides the Wild with an experienced, two-way defenseman as they make a push for the playoffs. Petry's leadership and playoff experience could be valuable assets for the Wild down the stretch.

The details

Petry, who signed a one-year contract with the Panthers in the offseason, had 8 assists in 58 games with Florida this season. He is a pending unrestricted free agent. Petry previously served as an alternate captain for the Montreal Canadiens for three seasons.

  • Petry played in his 1,000th NHL game earlier this season with the Panthers.

The players

Jeff Petry

A 38-year-old defenseman who was recently traded from the Florida Panthers to the Minnesota Wild.

Minnesota Wild

The NHL team that acquired veteran defenseman Jeff Petry from the Florida Panthers ahead of the trade deadline.

Florida Panthers

The NHL team that traded veteran defenseman Jeff Petry to the Minnesota Wild ahead of the trade deadline.

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The takeaway

The Wild's acquisition of Jeff Petry adds an experienced, two-way defenseman to their roster as they make a push for the playoffs. Petry's leadership and playoff experience could be valuable assets for the team down the stretch.