What happened: The Florida Panthers have agreed to terms with defenseman Mikulas Hovorka on a one-year, two-way contract. The organization announced the transaction on Wednesday.

Why it matters: The 25-year-old undrafted blue liner returns to the franchise where he made his professional debut. The two-way structure of the agreement provides Florida with organizational depth and roster flexibility ahead of the 2026-27 season.

What to watch: Hovorka will compete for a roster spot when the team opens training camp.