​The Florida Panthers kicked off NHL Free Agency by adding veteran forward Lars Eller to the roster on a one-year deal, according to GM Bill Zito. Eller, who won the 2018 Stanley Cup with the Washington Capitals, is expected to step in as the center on the Panthers’ fourth line and provide a strong option on the penalty kill. The 37-year-old spent last season with Brady Tkachuk in Ottawa, recording five goals and 15 points. Eller’s career began with the St. Louis Blues in the 2009-10 season, followed by six seasons with the Montreal Canadiens, parts of eight with the Capitals, and time with Colorado, Pittsburgh, and Ottawa. He has reached the playoffs in 13 of his 17 seasons, totaling 116 postseason games.
In other Panthers moves, Florida previously signed defenseman Alex Petrovic as a free agent and secured Radko Gudas on a six-year deal worth $1.5 million per season. Eller’s acquisition comes as the Panthers map out their off-season plans, with a busy slate of camp and preseason events on the horizon, leading into the 2026-27 NHL season. This recap of the Panthers’ free-agent activity originally appeared on Florida Hockey Now and is optimized for search.