SUNRISE, Fla., July 3, 2025 – The Florida Panthers have agreed to a two-year, two-way contract with forward MacKenzie Entwistle, team President of Hockey Operations and GM Bill Zito announced today .
The 25-year-old, 6-foot-3, 203-pound forward spent much of the 2024–25 campaign with the Panthers’ AHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers, where he played seven regular-season games, tallying one goal and one assist. He returned for an eight-game playoff run in the Calder Cup playoffs, contributing two goals and one assist .
Entwistle brings NHL experience to the Panthers’ depth chart. He has skated in 193 career NHL games—all with the Chicago Blackhawks—where he recorded 35 points (15 goals, 20 assists). In the AHL, he’s amassed a total of 41 points (16 goals, 25 assists) over 87 games between the Rockford IceHogs and Charlotte .
A third-round draft pick (69th overall) by the Arizona Coyotes in 2017, Entwistle also enjoyed a strong junior career in the OHL, where he logged 134 points (61 goals, 73 assists) over 220 games with the Hamilton Bulldogs and Guelph Storm. He even captained Hamilton in 2018–19 and helped secure back-to-back OHL championships .
According to contract-tracking site PuckPedia, the deal carries a cap hit of $775,000 per season at the NHL level, with a $1.55 million total value over two years. In the AHL, Entwistle will earn $375,000–$450,000 per year .
Why this matters:
Depth & versatility. As a rugged, right‑wing forward with penalty-killing ability, Entwistle adds grit to the Panthers’ bottom-six forward group.
Roster flexibility. With a two-way deal, Florida has the option to shuttle him between the NHL and AHL depending on injuries and performance.
Upside potential. Healthy and motivated, Entwistle could earn an NHL spot this season.
The Panthers enter the 2025–26 campaign as back-to-back Stanley Cup champions, keeping their sights on a three-peat. Entwistle’s signing further layers their organizational depth as they balance veteran talent with developing prospects.
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Contract Summary
Term NHL Salary AHL Salary Total Value
2 years $775K per season ~$375K–$450K $1.55M total
Overall, the signing of MacKenzie Entwistle reflects the Panthers’ commitment to building a resilient roster. He’ll likely begin the season in Charlotte, but strong play and health could fast-track him back to Florida’s NHL lineup.
— Panthers PR / Media Desk
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Let me know if you’d like analysis on how Entwistle fits into their forward projections or comparisons with similar two-way signings!
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