MacKenzie Entwistle placed on waivers by Panthers ahead of AHL stint

The Florida Panthers have placed forward MacKenzie Entwistle on waivers, opening a 24-hour window for the NHL’s other 31 clubs to claim him. Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman reported the move Wednesday, with Entwistle expected to report to the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers if he clears on Thursday.

Injury issues shape Entwistle’s Panthers tenure

Entwistle started the 2026-27 campaign on Florida’s injured/non-roster list and did not take part in training camp because of an undisclosed injury. It is the latest in a series of health setbacks that have followed him since his time in the Chicago Blackhawks organization.

The veteran forward has not appeared in an NHL game since the 2023-24 season, his final year with Chicago. After signing with the Panthers in the summer of 2024, he has played exclusively in the AHL. Injuries limited the Georgetown, Ont., product to just seven regular-season games in 2024-25, although he did dress for Charlotte during its run to the Calder Cup Final, where the Checkers fell to the Abbotsford Canucks.

Last season with Charlotte, Entwistle saw more regular duty, recording five goals and 11 points over 49 games. In the playoffs he went without a point in two outings as the Checkers were eliminated in the opening round by the Springfield Thunderbirds.

Career record and contract details

Over his NHL career, Entwistle has suited up in 193 games, producing 15 goals and 20 assists for 35 points. At the AHL level, he has appeared in 136 regular-season contests with 21 goals and 31 assists, along with three points in 10 playoff games. He is also a two-time OHL champion from his junior days.

Entwistle is in the second year of a two-year, two-way contract he signed with Florida in July 2025. The deal includes an NHL cap hit of $850,000 and an AHL salary of $375,000, with $450,000 guaranteed.

Other recent waiver moves around the league

Charlotte has already started its season, splitting a two-game road set against the Hershey Bears last weekend. Elsewhere, Tampa Bay Lightning forward Jansen Harkins and Columbus Blue Jackets forward Mikael Pyyhita were the only players waived on Tuesday. Both cleared on Wednesday and are now eligible to be assigned to their respective AHL affiliates.