The Florida Panthers are facing a significant challenge as they part ways with forward Nick Cousins, who has signed a one-year deal with the Ottawa Senators. This move keeps Cousins within the Atlantic Division, where he will now join Ottawa’s captain Brady Tkachuk after spending the last two seasons alongside his brother, Matthew Tkachuk, with the Panthers.
Cousins’ departure comes as a surprise, as the Panthers reportedly did not extend a new offer to the free-agent forward after his two-year contract expired following Florida’s impressive run to the Stanley Cup Final. His exit marks the latest in a series of departures for the Panthers, with Vladimir Tarasenko (Detroit), Ryan Lomberg (Calgary), and Kevin Stenlund (Utah) also moving on. Additionally, Steven Lorentz remains a free agent, and Kyle Okposo is expected to retire.
Ottawa will be Cousins’ seventh NHL team. He joined the Panthers as a free agent in 2022 after two seasons with the Nashville Predators. Originally drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers, Cousins has also played for the Arizona Coyotes, Montreal Canadiens, Vegas Golden Knights, and the Panthers.
In his first season with Florida, Cousins contributed nine goals in 79 games. However, this past season, he was limited to just 69 games after suffering a concussion from a retaliatory hit by Jason Zucker. The incident sparked controversy, leading to harsh criticism from Kevin Bieksa on Hockey Night in Canada, where Bieksa labeled Cousins as “dirty” and “a rat.” This criticism did not sit well with Cousins or his coach, Paul Maurice.
“We love that guy,” Maurice said of Cousins. “And it was hurtful earlier in the year for everybody when they went after him in the media a little bit for the way he plays. I just don’t see it. I don’t think Nick has ever had more than 41 penalty minutes [in a season], so I think it was overkill, to say the least.”
Cousins, who has never been suspended in his NHL career, defended his style of play, stating, “My highest penalty minutes is 44 or whatever. I don’t even know what it is. But I think the reputation is unfair, for sure. I don’t view myself as a dirty player, maybe I had a couple of reckless hits this year, but I don’t think the reputation is warranted at all.”
During his two-year tenure with the Panthers, Cousins played various roles throughout the lineup, including a key position on the second line during Florida’s 2023 Stanley Cup run. Reflecting on his versatility, Cousins said, “I’ve been put all over the lineup. I can play left-wing or right-wing. I’ve had success with Benny and Chucky, and obviously, we have so much depth this year that wherever they need me, it’s usually where I slot. It really benefits when guys can play all over the lineup.”
As Cousins embarks on a new chapter with the Senators, the Panthers will need to regroup and find a way to fill the void left by his departure.
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