The Florida Panthers are celebrating their second consecutive Stanley Cup victory after defeating the Edmonton Oilers in the recent Final. As they prepare to pursue a historic third straight championship, the team has added veteran defenseman Jeff Petry to bolster their lineup. General manager Bill Zito orchestrated the signing of Petry on a one-year, league-minimum contract to address a defensive gap created by Nate Schmidt’s departure to the Utah Mammoth.
Jeff Petry’s Extensive NHL Career and Experience
Jeff Petry’s NHL journey began almost twenty years ago when the Edmonton Oilers selected him 45th overall in the 2006 Entry Draft. Petry made his NHL debut in the 2010-11 season, playing 35 games and recording his first NHL goal along with four assists. After five seasons with Edmonton, he was traded to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for draft picks.
During his eight seasons with Montreal, Petry became a key player, participating in the Stanley Cup Playoffs multiple times. Notably, he contributed two goals and three points in his first 12 playoff games. In the shortened 2021 season, Petry helped the Canadiens reach the Stanley Cup Final, registering six assists over 20 playoff games before the team was eliminated by the Tampa Bay Lightning in five games.
Petry was later traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he played alongside Sidney Crosby for one season, scoring five goals and 31 points across 61 games. A subsequent trade returned him briefly to Montreal, but he was soon moved to the Detroit Red Wings. Over two seasons in Detroit, Petry appeared in 117 games, scoring four goals and 28 assists, though he had a minus-9 rating overall. His wealth of playoff and regular-season experience is expected to provide strong leadership and depth for the Panthers.
Immediate Defensive Stability Following Schmidt’s Exit
With Nate Schmidt joining the Utah Mammoth, the Panthers faced an immediate need to reinforce their defensive corps. Jeff Petry’s arrival offers an effective solution due to his veteran presence and ability to stabilize the bottom-four pairings. He is projected to complement Dmitry Kulikov, creating a seasoned third defensive pairing for the team.
Guidance Opportunity for Young Defenseman Uvis Balinskis
Panthers prospect Uvis Balinskis currently serves as the team’s seventh defenseman, with 112 regular-season games of experience, including five goals and 16 assists. During the recent playoffs, Balinskis appeared in five games, scoring a goal in the second round against the Toronto Maple Leafs. As he continues to develop his role in the lineup, Balinskis stands to gain valuable insights from Petry’s veteran expertise, especially in high-pressure moments.
Additionally, Balinskis has been named to represent his native Latvia in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, highlighting the importance of his growth as a player. Learning from Petry during the upcoming NHL season can help him prepare for international competition and key NHL contests.
Petry’s Motivated Return Reflects Panthers’ Winning Culture
The Panthers have successfully maintained their core roster through this offseason, and the addition of Jeff Petry brings essential playoff experience to an already strong group. Having recently reached the Stanley Cup Final, Petry’s signing on a minimal contract underscores his desire to contribute to a winning environment. His presence enhances Florida’s chances for another deep playoff run and a bid to become the first team since the 1980s New York Islanders to secure three consecutive Stanley Cup titles.
“The Panthers somehow managed to keep their core intact this offseason, and adding Petry’s playoff experience should make him very useful for another deep playoff run.” —Bill Zito, General Manager
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What was Jeff Petry’s injury?
A. DETROIT — After getting hurt on January 3, Jeff Petry wanted to play again soon. However, after discussing with the Detroit Red Wings’ medical team, they agreed that surgery was necessary. This means the 37-year-old defenseman will be out until late March of the 2024-25 season.
Q. What is Jeff Petry’s rating in NHL 25?
A. Jeff Petry has an overall rating of 84 in NHL 25. He plays professional hockey as a Right Defense for the Detroit Red Wings in the NHL.