Panthers acquire Hathaway from Flyers for picks

Just one day ahead of the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, the Florida Panthers and Philadelphia Flyers completed a trade.

The Panthers acquired forward Garnet Hathaway and a 2026 sixth-round pick from the Flyers on Thursday, in exchange for a 2026 fifth-round pick and a 2027 fourth-round pick.

As part of the deal, the Flyers will retain 50 per cent of Hathaway’s $2.4-million salary. He has one year remaining on his contract.

Hathaway, 34, had a goal and two assists for three points in 66 games last season. He also finished with 252 hits, which ranked ninth among all NHL skaters in 2025-26.

He’s ranked in the top 10 among all NHL skaters in hits in every season since 2020-21, and in that span, ranks second among all players with 1,532 hits.

“Garnet is a physical and highly competitive player who will complement our group well,” said Panthers’ general manager Bill Zito. “We’re excited to add his veteran presence to our group for the upcoming season.”

In parts of 12 NHL seasons, Hathaway, a native of Naples, Fla., has 76 goals and 87 assists for 163 points and 739 penalty minutes in 672 career regular-season games with the Flyers, Boston Bruins, Washington Capitals and Calgary Flames.

He also has four goals and four assists for eight points in 39 career Stanley Cup Playoff games.

Hathaway, an undrafted free agent who signed with the Flames in March 2021, spent four seasons playing college hockey with Brown University. In 121 career NCAA games, he scored 20 goals and recorded 38 assists for 58 points, adding 178 penalty minutes in that span.