The Philadelphia Flyers have sent Garnet Hathaway and a 2026 sixth-round pick to the Panthers in exchange for a 2026 fifth-round pick and a 2027 fourth-round pick.
The Flyers wanted to open up bottom-six winger spots for emerging young prospects in their system such as Porter Martone, Alex Bump, and Denver Barkey, according to NBC Sports.
Hathaway, 34, was entering the final year of his contract with a $2.4 million salary cap hit.
To facilitate the trade, the Flyers retained 50 percent of his remaining salary.
“Panthers acquire gritty winger Garnet Hathaway from Flyers,” was the way ESPN’s headline encapsulated the Maine player’s style.
Hathaway was born in Naples, Florida, but moved to Kennebunkport, Maine, with his family when he was six months old.
His father John is a former GOP state senator out of York County.
Hathaway made 66 appearances with the Flyers last season and led the team in hits with 252, ninth most among all skaters in the NHL last season, according to SportsNet.
He finished the year with one goal and two assists before adding another goal and assist through eight playoff games.
The 11-year NHL vet now heads back to his home state.
Hathaway has logged 672 games over that span, split between the Flyers, Boston Bruins, Washington Capitals and Calgary Flames.
“Garnet is a physical and highly competitive player who will complement our group well,” said Panthers GM Bill Zito as quoted by SportsNet. “We’re excited to add his veteran presence to our group for the upcoming season.”
Hathaway has ranked in the top 10 for hits in the NHL in every season since 2020-21, and his 1,532 hits in that span are the second most.
If he is smart he will stay in Fla, no state income tax, for starters.