Florida Panthers Prepare for Free Agency
As the 2025-26 NHL season wraps up, the Florida Panthers are set to see Cole Schwindt and Nolan Foote transition to Group 6 unrestricted free agents (UFAs), as reported by PuckPedia. This situation arises from specific criteria defining Group 6 free agency, which states that a player must:
- Be 25 years old by June 30
- Have their contract expire
- Play fewer than 80 NHL games for skaters or less than 28 games with significant ice time for goaltenders
- Have a minimum of three professional seasons across the NHL, AHL, or ECHL
Player Profiles
Cole Schwindt will reach the age threshold on April 25 and, despite potentially participating in the final game of the season, will finish with only 78 career appearances, falling short of the 80-game benchmark largely due to a series of injuries that have sidelined him this season.
In Nolan Foote’s case, he has been limited to 41 career NHL games, tallying a modest seven goals and 10 points, with just one goal recorded in 11 appearances this year. Foote joined the Panthers after spending five seasons with the New Jersey Devils, signing a two-way contract during the offseason.
Implications of Free Agency
The impending free agency means both Schwindt and Foote can sign with any NHL team starting July 1, with the Panthers not receiving any compensatory benefits since they won’t be offered qualifying contracts as restricted free agents (RFAs). The Panthers coaching staff has expressed a positive outlook on Schwindt, indicating a strong interest in retaining him under an NHL contract. Meanwhile, Foote may also have the chance to return, possibly with a similar two-way agreement as before.
