A disappointing 2025-26 season for the Panthers, which will result in the two-time Stanley Cup Champions missing the playoffs, has been capped off by a series of injuries. Injuries thrust Uvis Balinskis into a larger role this season, but has been sidelined for three weeks due to an undisclosed injury and is not expected to play again this season. He scored 15 points (5G / 10A) in 54 games this season.
Balinskis has not played in nearly two weeks and will be sidelined for several more, effectively ending his 2025-26 season due to an undisclosed injury. The 29-year-old Latvian defenseman had 15 points (5G / 10A) in 54 games this season.
Panthers' Head Coach Paul Maurice continues to manage a team battling a myriad of injuries, with Balinskis coming out of the lineup on Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 29-year-old Latvian defenseman is averaging 16:22 time-on-ice and has 15 points (5G / 10A) in 54 games this season.
Balinskis did not play in Florida's previous game due to a lower-body injury, but he will return to the lineup on Tuesday against the New Jersey Devils. The 29-year-old defenseman is averaging 16:20 time-on-ice and has 14 points (5G / 9A) in 50 games this season. Donovan Sebrango will be a healthy scratch to accommodate Balinskis' return.
Balinskis was in and out of the lineup to start the season, but injuries on Florida's blueline have awarded him with a larger role, earning himself a two-year contract extension. The 29-year-old Latvian defenseman has eight pints (1G / 7A) in 36 games this season.
Donovan Sebrango will be a healthy scratch on Monday, allowing Balinskis to re-enter the lineup. The 29-year-old Balinski has not played since October 28th. He has eight blocks, 10 hits, and zero points through nine games this season.
Balinskis appeared in his first game in 21 days for Florida's Game 4 victory, but is expected to be a healthy scratch for Game 5 as Niko Mikkola returns from injury to the lineup. The 28-year-old has only appeared in five playoff games during Florida's current run, but has a goal and a +4 plus/minus.
Balinskis has not played since Game 1 vs. the Maple Leafs, but he will replace Niko Mikkola in the lineup for Game 4 vs. Carolina. Balinskis has one goal, two SOG, six blocked shots and six hits in four playoff games.
With Aaron Ekblad returning from a two-game suspension, Uvis Balinskis will be the odd man out for Game 2 in Toronto on Wednesday. The 28-year-old has appeared in four games so far in the playoffs and had a goal, two SOG and a +4 plus/minus.
Balinskis played the first two games of Florida's first-round series against the Tampa Bay Lightning, recording a +2 plus/minus and four hits. He exited the lineup when Aaron Ekblad returned from a suspension in Game 3 but will draw back in on Wednesday for Game 5.
With Aaron Ekblad serving the first game of his twenty-game suspension, Balinskis will re-enter the lineup for the first time since March 1st. The 28-year-old Balinskis is averaging 14:51 time-on-ice and has 15 points (4G / 11A) in 58 games this season.
Balinskis started the season with the Panthers due to several injuries on the blueline but has spent most of the season with the Charlotte Checkers (AHL), scoring 21 points (3G / 18A) in 37 games. He had a four-game stint with the Panthers in mid-March, last playing on March 26th. Oliver Ekman-Larsson will be a healthy scratch for the Panthers on Tuesday.
Balinskis started the season with the Panthers due to several injuries on the blueline but has spent most of the season with the Charlotte Checkers (AHL), scoring 21 points (3G / 18A) in 37 games. He had a four-game stint with the Panthers in mid-March, last playing on March 26th.
Balisnkis appeared in 22 games for Florida before being reassigned to Charlotte (AHL) on Wednesday and had a goal and two assists with six PIMs during his first season with the team. The 27-year-old defenseman will return to Charlotte, where he excelled offensively earlier in the season with three goals, 21 points, 27 PIMs and a +3 plus/minus through 35 games played.
Balinskis started the season with the Panthers due to injuries but has played exclusively in the AHL for the last several months. In 35 games with the Charlotte Checkers (AHL), Balinskis has 21 points (3G / 18A). He will return to the Panthers' lineup on Thursday vs. Nashville.
Balinskis made his NHL debut in 2023-24 with Florida after three seasons in the Czechia pro league and was rewarded Wednesday with a two-year, $1.7 million ($850,000) contract extension. The 27-year-old has managed to pick up a goal, an assist, 18 SOG, and six PIMs in 18 games played in his first season in Florida.
