According to a team announcement, the Florida Panthers have signed defenseman Mikulas Hovorka to a one-year, two-way contract for the 2026-27 season. PuckPedia reported that Hovorka will earn an NHL salary of $850K and an AHL salary of $100K. Hovorka was a restricted free agent with arbitration rights before the signing.
The 2025-26 campaign was Hovorka’s second with the Panthers organization. The 25-year-old defenseman spent several years playing professionally in his native Czechia, playing with the Extraliga’s HC Motor České Budějovice before signing as an international free agent with Florida.
He’s not the most offensive-minded prospect that the Panthers have, but he is 6’6″, 229 lbs, and uses his frame well. His first year in the North American professional circuit was spent exclusively with the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers, where he finished with three goals and 10 points in 60 games, earning a +2 rating and 33 penalty minutes. Additionally, Hovorka appeared in 18 postseason games for the Checkers, recording five assists and 32 PIMs with a +6 rating.
Hovorka improved in 2025-26, scoring five goals and 18 points in 57 games with the Checkers, including a +23 rating. Although those aren’t world-beating numbers, Hovorka got his first call-up to the NHL level, largely due to the number of injuries plaguing the Panthers throughout last season. In his limited action with Florida, Hovorka tallied one assist in four games with a -1 rating, averaging 14:55 of ice time per game.
Assuming the Panthers are far healthier this season, it’s likely that Hovorka will spend much, if not all, of the 2026-27 campaign with the Checkers. However, if they run into injury trouble again, Hovorka will likely be one of the first call-ups. If he continues to improve, he could carve out a long-term role with Florida as a sixth or seventh defenseman.