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Buffalo Sabres announce 2026-27 regular season schedule
The league’s first 84-game season adds longer travel blocks and eight back-to-backs, with no Olympic break to ease the schedule.
On Thursday, the Florida Panthers announced their 2026-27 schedule, opening against Stanley Cup Champion Carolina Hurricanes on September 29 before returning home October 10 to face the Minnesota Wild.
The Florida Panthers reloaded after injuries hampered last year's squad. Management acquired defenseman Radko Gudas, forward Garnet Hathaway, and Matthew Tkachuk before July 1, significantly adding physicality and experience.
Management addressed goaltending by signing Jacob Markstrom and Akira Schmid to replace Sergei Bobrovsky, whose contract expired July 1. These signings provide stability in net after last season's struggles.
The schedule features a challenging start with only four of the first 13 games at home. Florida faces the Edmonton Oilers on November 17, a repeat of the 2024 and 2025 Stanley Cup Finals.
Captain Aleksander Barkov returns after an ACL/MCL injury sidelined him all of last season. His presence, combined with the reloaded roster, positions the Florida Panthers to compete as one of the NHL's toughest squads.