- May 21, 2026
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A former touted prospect is moving to the southeast.
On the opening day of NHL free agency, the Florida Panthers signed forward Johnny Beecher to a one-year, two-way contract. The deal carries an NHL cap hit of $850,000, a minor-league salary of $525,000 and a guaranteed salary of $575,000 through the 2026-27 season.
Beecher became an unrestricted free agent after the Calgary Flames didn’t extend him a qualifying offer by Monday evening’s deadline. He was coming off a one-year contract that he signed with the Boston Bruins last June. That deal carried a cap hit of $900,000.
Beecher started the 2025-26 campaign with the Bruins, but was placed on waivers in November after appearing in just six games. The Flames claimed the Elmira, N.Y. native, as he stayed in Calgary for the remainder of the season. On a struggling team, he was slated to see significant playing time, but injuries and a suspension limited him to just 29 games with the Flames. With his new team, he scored two goals and four assists for six points, posting a plus/minus of -5 while averaging 10:26 of ice time per game. In 35 total games, Beecher posted three goals and seven points, with a -6 rating and an average TOI of 10:25.
It was a bit of a step back for Beecher, who had pretty much been a full-time member of the Bruins in each of the previous two seasons, including notching 11 points in 78 games with the club during the 2024-25 campaign. He might see some time with the Panthers in a bottom-six role, but is likely to see time in the American Hockey League as well.
In 165 regular-season games in the NHL, Beecher has scored 13 goals and 28 points, with two points in 12 Stanley Cup Playoff games with the Bruins. He’s also posted 16 goals and 37 points in 93 AHL games.
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On the opening day of NHL free agency, the Florida Panthers signed forward Johnny Beecher to a one-year, two-way contract. The deal carries an NHL cap hit of $850,000, a minor-league salary of $525,000 and a guaranteed salary of $575,000 through the 2026-27 season.
Beecher became an unrestricted free agent after the Calgary Flames didn’t extend him a qualifying offer by Monday evening’s deadline. He was coming off a one-year contract that he signed with the Boston Bruins last June. That deal carried a cap hit of $900,000.
Beecher started the 2025-26 campaign with the Bruins, but was placed on waivers in November after appearing in just six games. The Flames claimed the Elmira, N.Y. native, as he stayed in Calgary for the remainder of the season. On a struggling team, he was slated to see significant playing time, but injuries and a suspension limited him to just 29 games with the Flames. With his new team, he scored two goals and four assists for six points, posting a plus/minus of -5 while averaging 10:26 of ice time per game. In 35 total games, Beecher posted three goals and seven points, with a -6 rating and an average TOI of 10:25.
It was a bit of a step back for Beecher, who had pretty much been a full-time member of the Bruins in each of the previous two seasons, including notching 11 points in 78 games with the club during the 2024-25 campaign. He might see some time with the Panthers in a bottom-six role, but is likely to see time in the American Hockey League as well.
In 165 regular-season games in the NHL, Beecher has scored 13 goals and 28 points, with two points in 12 Stanley Cup Playoff games with the Bruins. He’s also posted 16 goals and 37 points in 93 AHL games.
Continue reading...