NHL Trade Deadline: Panthers Sell Veteran Defenseman

Florida Panthers trade Jeff Petry to Minnesota Wild as teams make moves ahead of NHL trade deadline

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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The Florida Panthers made their first trade ahead of the NHL trade deadline, sending veteran defenseman Jeff Petry to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for a conditional 2026 draft pick. The Panthers are considered sellers at the deadline, while other teams like the Dallas Stars and Ottawa Senators made moves to add depth players.

Why it matters

The Panthers' trade of Petry signals they are likely out of playoff contention and looking to retool their roster. Meanwhile, the Wild add a veteran defenseman to bolster their blue line as they push for the playoffs. Other teams like the Stars and Senators are making moves to improve their rosters for the postseason stretch.

The details

The Panthers sent Petry, a 38-year-old defenseman, to the Wild in exchange for a conditional 2026 seventh-round draft pick. The condition is that if the Wild win at least two playoff rounds this year, the pick will convert to a fifth-round selection. Petry must also play in at least half of the Wild's games during those two playoff rounds. The Stars acquired forward Michael Bunting from the Nashville Predators in exchange for a 2023 third-round pick, while the Senators traded a 2026 second-round pick and a 2026 third-round pick to the LA Kings for forward Warren Foegele and a 2026 third-round pick.

  • The NHL trade deadline is on March 3, 2026.

The players

Jeff Petry

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

Michael Bunting

A forward who was traded from the Nashville Predators to the Dallas Stars.

Warren Foegele

A forward who was traded from the LA Kings to the Ottawa Senators.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

The NHL trade deadline is a busy time as teams make moves to bolster their rosters for the playoff push. The Panthers' trade of Petry signals they are looking to the future, while the Stars and Senators made moves to add depth. These types of trades can have a big impact on the playoff race in the final stretch of the season.