Sandis Vilmanis Ready for Breakout NHL Season with the Florida Panthers

Florida Panthers rookie forward Sandis Vilmanis talks after a training camp practice in Fort Lauderdale on Wednesday Sept. 23, 2026. Florida (1-0-1) lost to the host Carolina Hurricanes 3-2 in a shootout the night before. The Panthers visit the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday. Vilmanis made his NHL debut with the Panthers last season — one in which he played for Latvia’s Olympic team and was his team’s leading scorer at the World Championship. He is expected to start this season on the third line in place of the injured Brad Marchand. Video Courtesy Florida Panthers / @FlaPanthers / Panthers...