Florida Panthers sign Jeff Petry for $775K as key defensive addition; veteran calls it a ‘No-Brainer’ move to chase Stanley Cup

Veteran defenseman Jeff Petry has officially signed a one-year, $775,000 contract with the Florida Panthers. After a turbulent season with the Detroit Red Wings and multiple trades in recent years, the 37-year-old says joining the 2024 Eastern Conference champions was an easy decision driven by team chemistry and the desire to compete for another Stanley Cup.

Jeff Petry opts for Panthers to chase cup and join a united locker room

Jeff Petry didn’t waste time when the Florida Panthers came calling. Fresh off a deep Stanley Cup run and in need of blue-line depth following Nate Schmidt’s departure, Florida found a perfect fit in Petry—a seasoned, right-shot defenseman with playoff experience and over 900 NHL games to his name.What truly sealed the deal wasn’t just the opportunity to chase another Cup, it was the Panthers’ locker room bond. “You hear about the group, what they do together on and off the ice… you hear so many good things,” Petry said in his first statement as a Panther.

The move, he said, was a “no-brainer.”

The Panthers have earned a league-wide reputation for having one of the tightest locker rooms in the NHL. Whether it’s team bonding on road trips, inside jokes in their group chat, or support during key moments, the chemistry is undeniable. It’s no surprise that Matthew Tkachuk personally welcomed Petry with a text message: “I’m glad to have you on the team. I hated playing against you.

Looking forward to playing with you and having fun this year.

”Petry’s signing not only helps fill the defensive gap left by Schmidt but also gives Florida a reliable presence who can log minutes, contribute on special teams, and handle pressure situations. After missing 31 games in Detroit due to injury, Petry is focused on bouncing back and doing it with a contender.Florida’s front office has been strategic this offseason, and adding Petry on a budget deal could prove to be one of their smartest moves. With Dmitry Kulikov and other veterans anchoring the blue line, the Panthers are once again building for a deep playoff run.Also Read: How Bill Zito pulled off the impossible: Panthers keep Brad Marchand, Sam Bennett and Aaron Ekblad under cap but lose key free agentsFor Petry, this could be the final chapter and he’s writing it where it matters most: on a team built to win now.