The Panthers announced Friday that they’ve agreed to terms with left-wing prospect Hunter St. Martin on a three-year, entry-level contract. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Florida picked up St. Martin, 19, in the sixth round of this year’s draft. He was initially draft-eligible in 2023 but was passed over, which wasn’t surprising given his underwhelming offensive production for WHL Medicine Hat. The 6’2″ winger posted eight goals and 22 points in 61 games for the Tigers.
But last year was a breakthrough campaign for St. Martin. The Edmonton native finished fifth on a deep team in scoring, logging 52 points (24 G, 28 A) in 68 games and a +14 rating. That was enough for the defending champions to snag him with the last pick of Round Six.
Dobber Prospects calls St. Martin “a true Swiss Army Knife-style player” who can slot in anywhere he’s needed, at least at the junior level. If he continues to build on that offensive breakout and march toward receiving an NHL look in a few years, he likely won’t be restricted to certain types of deployment. That’s arguably the most intriguing part of St. Martin’s upside.
As for why the Panthers signed him to his entry-level contract now with 19 months left to evaluate his game before they lose his rights, his torrid start to the campaign likely has something to do with it. St. Martin now serves as an alternate captain in Medicine Hat and leads them with seven goals in eight games, doing so on a star-studded team that includes likely 2026 No. 1 overall pick Gavin McKenna and 2024 Flames first-rounder Andrew Basha.
St. Martin won’t play 10 NHL games this season, and since he doesn’t turn 20 until next June, his entry-level contract is eligible to slide for one year and one year only. The deal will go into effect for the 2025-26 season and expire after the 2027-28 campaign, making him an RFA.