Latest news with #JeffPetry


Time of India
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Florida Panthers sign Jeff Petry for $775K as key defensive addition; veteran calls it a ‘No-Brainer' move to chase Stanley Cup
Florida Panthers add Jeff Petry on a one-year contract (Image via: Getty Images) 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. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo 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 agents For Petry, this could be the final chapter and he's writing it where it matters most: on a team built to win now. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here . Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.


Miami Herald
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Q&A: New Panthers defenseman Jeff Petry talks joining Stanley Cup champs
It has been four years since Jeff Petry last made an appearance in the Stanley Cup playoffs. It was a memorable postseason, with Petry and the Montreal Canadiens making it to the Stanley Cup Final in 2021 before ultimately falling to the Tampa Bay Lightning. At 37, Petry knows time is running out to make another postseason run and chase an elusive Stanley Cup. Which is why when the back-to-back defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers called and gauged his interest in joining, the veteran defenseman knew his decision was an easy one. 'That was an important part of my decision — wanting to be in the playoffs, wanting to compete for a Stanley Cup again,' Petry, who singed on Tuesday for a league minimum $775,000, said Thursday. 'That feeling of being really close in Montreal, and then losing in the final, that was a tough feeling. I always said before my career is over, I want to be able to be in that position again and be on a team that can compete for a Stanley Cup. Coming to Florida, I think that gives me a very good opportunity to do that.' Petry has played in 981 career games over 15 seasons including stops with the Edmonton Oilers, Canadiens, Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings. He has 385 career points (96 goals, 289 assists). He only played in 44 games last season for Detroit, missing more than two-and-a-half months with an abdominal injury. 'Jeff is a skilled, puck-moving defenseman who can contribute quality veteran leadership to our lineup,' Panthers president of hockey operations and general manager Bill Zito said. 'We are excited that he will join us to supplement our exciting core.' Here are the highlights of what Petry had to say during his Thursday interview session. What stands out about the Panthers? 'It's an exciting, exciting place to play. You see what they've accomplished over the last few years. When I got the call that there was an interest in me coming there, I saw [Sam] Bennett and [Aaron] Ekblad and [Brad] Marchand resigning. When they called, it was a no brainer. You hear about the group, what they do together on the ice, off the ice. You hear so many good things about it, and like I said, when they had interest, it was a no brainer for me. They want you to come in and be the player you are, be the person you are, and not try to do something that isn't within your characteristics.' How much does it help knowing that Florida's style of play includes forwards playing strong defense, too? 'I think that's huge, being a group of five all over the ice. When you're all committed in the defensive zone, it just gives you the puck back quicker to go play in the offensive zone. There's a number of guys who are great defensively, but also have the ability to put the puck in the net. It's an exciting group to join.' Injury slowed you a bit last season. How are you feeling now? 'Everything's feeling good. It's something that I tried to push through. You never want to miss time with an injury. I wanted to push through it, and ended up just taking the time off getting it feeling better. Came back at the end of the year, and then now, having the last couple months to to fully recover, fully go through the rehab process, get everything feeling good to make sure I'm ready for the start of September.' Florida has a track record over recent years of defensemen having bounce-back seasons, including Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Nate Schmidt. Did that play a factor in you wanting to come here? 'You definitely consider all things, and the track record of players that you spoke about is apparent. I think it speaks to the group that they have, that you can bring a new player in and they fit in and do well. I think it speaks to not trying to be somebody you're not, and just coming in and playing your game and be surrounded by great players with great structure. That's something that I strongly considered, and in making my decision.' Any welcome to the Panthers messages from teammates? 'Yeah I got a few calls, a couple text messages from the guys. I think the one that sticks out is, was Chucky [winger Matthew Tkachuk]. He texted me and said, 'glad to have you on the team. I hated playing against you, and looking forward to playing with you and having fun this year.' A lot of guys reached out. Which is was nice to see, nice to hear, and looking forward to getting down there and meeting everybody in person.'


USA Today
02-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Michigan State hockey RW signs two year deal with Detroit Red Wings
Michigan State hockey is seeing an influx in professional players with the program being as hot as it has ever been. Now, with the 2025 NHL free agency open, several Spartans have inked new deals with NHL franchises. After Jeff Petry signed with the Florida Panthers and Mackenzie MacEachern signed with the Vancouver Canucks, Mason Appleton has now found his new home, one Spartan nation is very familiar with. The Detroit Red Wings have signed the former Spartan right winger to a two year contract worth $2.9 million annually. Appleton will provide the Red Wings with a right shot presence in their bottom six. A 6-foot-2, 195 pound winger, Appleton will provide some grittiness and toughness that the Wings are searching for in the bottom two lines. Having played in seven NHL seasons, Appleton has played with the Winnipeg Jets for six and a half of them, spending the other half season with the Seattle Kraken. He has played in 400 career games in the NHL, scoring 57 goals with 81 assists. Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Cory Linsner on X @Cory_Linsner


USA Today
02-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Vancouver Canucks ink two-year deal with former Michigan State hockey winger
Mackenzie MacEachern heads to #Canucks on a two-year, two-way contract. #stlblues As the calendar turned to July, NHL free agency opened, with franchises and players linking together to find new homes. For Michigan State, there are four former members of the hockey program that were looking for new contracts. Former Spartan defenseman Jeff Petry inked a new deal with the Florida Panthers, and now, another former Spartan has inked a new deal. Mackenzie MacEachern has been signed by the Vancouver Canucks. The deal between the Canucks and the former MSU winger is for two years at $775,000 annually. It is a two-way contract, meaning the winger can be moved up and down between the NHL and the Canucks AHL affiliate, the Abbotsford Canucks. MacEachern has spent six seasons in the NHL, with five of those seasons being with the St. Louis Blues and one with the Carolina Hurricanes. Over the course of his career, he has played in 123 games, scoring 11 goals with 9 assists. Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Cory Linsner on X @Cory_Linsner


Time of India
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
NHL Trade News: Jeff Petry signs one-year deal with Florida Panthers as veteran defenseman finds new home
NHL Trade News: Jeff Petry signs one-year deal with Florida Panthers as veteran defenseman finds new home (Image via Getty) A big change just hit the NHL world. One of the league's veteran defenseman has landed with a new team, and fans are already buzzing. The move was made official on social media and is drawing attention as the Panthers add a key piece to their blue line. So who signed him, when did it happen, and what does this mean for the 2025–26 season? Here's everything we know so far. Florida Panthers announce Jeff Petry signing for 2025 season On July 1, 2025, the Florida Panthers officially announced that they have signed veteran defenseman Jeff Petry to a one-year contract. The team shared the news via their official X (formerly Twitter) account with a simple message: 'We've agreed to terms with defenseman Jeff Petry on a one-year contract. Happy to have you, Jeff.' Petry, 36, spent last season with the Detroit Red Wings, where he played in 73 games, scoring 3 goals and registering 24 assists. After becoming a free agent, there was uncertainty about where he'd land next. Now, he joins the Eastern Conference champions, aiming to bring veteran presence and depth to Florida's defense. The contract is worth $1.4 million for the 2025–26 NHL season, according to CapFriendly. The Panthers' front office values Petry's leadership, physical play, and ability to support a young defensive core. Jeff Petry brings leadership and playoff experience to Florida Following the announcement, Jeff Petry shared his excitement in a brief media interaction. 'I'm pumped to join the Panthers,' he said. 'They've built something special, and I'm ready to do my part.' Petry has had a long NHL journey, with notable stops at the Montreal Canadiens, Pittsburgh Penguins, and most recently, the Detroit Red Wings. Known for his reliable two-way game and strong skating, Petry has played over 900 NHL games and brings a wealth of playoff experience to Florida's blue line. The Panthers have made it clear they are aiming for another deep postseason run in 2026. With training camp set for September 2025, Petry will soon report to Sunrise, Florida, and begin preparations with his new team. Also Read: Vegas Golden Knights Land Mitch Marner In Blockbuster Trade With Maple Leafs And Sign 8-Year Deal Fans in Florida have already started welcoming Petry online, hopeful that his veteran presence helps push the Panthers over the top next season. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.