Florida Panthers general manager Bill Zito announced Thursday he made his second trade for a veteran forward this week, acquiring Garnet Hathaway and a sixth-round pick in the 2026 NHL draft from the Philadelphia Flyers. In exchange, the Flyers receive Florida’s fifth-round selection in this year’s draft and a fourth-round pick in 2027.
Hathaway joins the star-studded Panthers just four days after they made a blockbuster trade for star Brady Tkachuk.
Hathaway has one year left on his contract at a salary cap hit of $2.4 million.
Florida marks the fifth stop of the 34-year-old’s NHL career. After spending time with the Boston Bruins, Washington Capitals and Calgary Flames throughout his 11 seasons, Hathaway joins as a seasoned player.
“Garnet is a physical and highly competitive player who will complement our group well,” Zito said in a statement. “We’re excited to add his veteran presence to our group for the upcoming season.”
In his three seasons in Philadelphia, the Naples, Florida, native recorded 18 goals, 23 assists and 41 points. He’s racked up 163 points in his career, and he nears his 700th NHL game, a milestone he will likely reach this season with the Panthers.
A physical addition, Hathaway led Philadelphia with 252 hits last season, which ranked ninth in the NHL. He was also the team’s nominee for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy.
The 6-foot-2 gritty forward made his NHL debut for the Flames in February 2016 and has been one of the nation’s leaders in hits for a majority of his seasons since.
With the 2026 draft rapidly nearing, this shift leaves Florida with two second- and sixth-round picks, as well as a fourth- and seventh-round selection. The veteran also gives the Panthers added depth at forward — something they weren’t sorely lacking even before the addition.