Panthers Sign 2 Players to PTOs

Two unrestricted free agents will get a chance to try to earn a berth with the back-to-back defending Stanley Cup champions' organization. The Florida Panthers have signed both Daniel Walcott and Josh Lopina to professional tryouts (PTOs).

Few other tryouts to share:#Pens Brett Murray#FlaPanthers Daniel Walcott#FlaPanthers Josh Lopina
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) September 12, 2025

Walcott, a 31-year-old left winger, has spent the last 10 years playing in the American Hockey League with the Syracuse Crunch, after being a 5th round selection in the 2014 NHL Draft by the New York Rangers. He was acquired by the Tampa Bay Lightning organization in 2015, and played one game with the Bolts in 2021.

The 6-foot-1, 174-pound forward played a franchise-record 494 games with Syracuse, with 147 points, but left the Lightning organization this summer, and in fact, was intending to retire. But the Panthers are giving him another shot to continue his hockey career.

Lopina is a 24-year-old center who was drafted by the Anaheim Ducks in the 4th round of the 2021 NHL Draft, and has spent the last four years skating for their AHL affiliate, the San Diego Gulls. He totalled 44 points in 203 games.

He did not receive a qualifying offer after last season and became an unrestricted free agent.

If either player impresses in camp, they could serve as depth pieces and likely suit up for the AHL's Charlotte Checkers.

The Panthers also signed three other veterans to PTOs earlier this week, in Tyler Motte, Noah Gregor, and Ben Harpur.