Bill Zito said after the Panthers won the Cup that he thought Florida could keep their three big UFAs. As of Free Agency Eve, he’s made good on the promise with the announcement of extensions to both Aaron Ekblad and Brad Marchand in addition to Sam Bennett’s extension that was announced on Friday. It does put the Panthers in a precarious Cap situation as they’re currently over, so moves aren’t done being made yet. Puckpedia currently lists Matthew Tkachuk as LTIR, which may be a factor in what the Cats are able to do. In his exit interview, Tkachuk said he may have to have surgery this summer for his torn adductor. If Puckpedia is accurate, then it signals he likely will be having surgery during the off-season.
Related Post: The Florida Panthers Extend Sam Bennett
Ekblad was drafted by the Panthers and will now likely retire as a Cat. Aaron signed an eight-year contract at 6.1M AAV, locking him up long-term with his d-partner Gustav Forsling. The pairing has been one of the best shutdown pairs in the NHL over the last few seasons and has been instrumental in Florida’s postseason success, holding in check players like Kucherov, Pastrnak, Panarin, Zibaenjad, Draisaitl, and McDavid. You’ll never completely hold those players off the scoresheets, but the pair has been able to limit them severely. Forsling spoke on Ekblad’s potential extension following the Cup win and said, “He’s going to be a Panther for life. I really hope so, and I believe so. I love playing with him.” Ekblad certainly could’ve gotten more money elsewhere, but as he said in his exit interview, “Florida is home and I expect it to continue to be home.” Despite two suspensions in the playoffs this year, Aaron played some of his absolute best hockey in the postseason. Zito on Ekblad’s extension said, “Aaron is a pillar of our defense who has consistently excelled at both ends of the ice as one of the best defensemen in the NHL over the past decade. From a Calder-winning rookie campaign to two Stanley Cup Championships, Aaron’s consummate leadership on and off the ice has been integral to our team’s success. After cementing his place in Panthers history, we are thrilled that he will continue his career in South Florida.”
Probably the biggest surprise of the day was the announcement of Brad Marchand getting extended. The Panthers traded a conditional second-round pick, now a first-round pick, to Boston at the trade deadline. Marchand signed a six-year deal at 5.25M AAV. Only playing 10 regular season games as he was rehabbing an injury, Marchand was one of the Cats’ best players come the playoffs, putting up 20 points on the third line with Luostarinen and Lundell. He scored six goals during the Cup Finals to help the Panthers go back-to-back. Brad was also in the conversation as a candidate for the Conn Smythe, which ultimately went to Sam Bennett. He was instrumental during the Leafs’ series as he scored the OT game-winner in Game 3 to make it a 1-2 series. Marchand spoke highly of the organization and the locker room dynamic, so it’s not too surprising to see him sign an extension. He certainly partied harder than anyone after the Cats won the Cup and has been embraced by the Panthers’ fanbase.
The Florida Panthers are on the cusp of becoming a modern-day dynasty, and signing all three of their free agents shows that they’re eyeing the three-peat.
ITR 44: We Have A Champion…Again – Inside The Rink
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