The Florida Panthers have been making waves in the NHL offseason, locking down key players and shaping their roster for the upcoming 2025-26 campaign. Most notably, the team secured defenseman Aaron Ekblad and forward Sam Bennett with eight-year contracts, signaling a strong commitment to maintaining their core as back-to-back Stanley Cup champions.
General Manager Bill Zito pulled the trigger on these long-term deals just before the July 1 free agency frenzy began, with Ekblad and Bennett’s combined cap hit totaling $14.1 million. This leaves the Panthers about $4.9 million under the NHL salary cap, according to PuckPedia, but there are still critical roster pieces to address before the season kicks off.
Ekblad’s contract is particularly noteworthy. The 29-year-old signed for an average annual value (AAV) of $6.1 million, a significant team-friendly figure that reflects a slight decrease from his previous $7.5 million cap hit. Ekblad’s willingness to take a “sweetheart discount” was foreshadowed by his emotional statements during the Stanley Cup Final, highlighting his dedication to the Panthers organization.
Though Ekblad isn’t without flaws—his foot speed has been questioned and he’s missed over 25% of regular-season games in four of the past five years, including a 20-game suspension this season for a performance-enhancing drug violation—his value to Florida is undeniable. He averaged nearly 24 minutes per game during the Stanley Cup playoffs, contributing 13 points in 19 games and anchoring the defense with steady, all-situations play.
Advanced analytics back up his importance. The Panthers controlled close to 58% of scoring chances and 61% of goals at five-on-five when Ekblad was on the ice. His total guaranteed compensation is $48.8 million over eight years, a figure below the projected $54.6 million he might have commanded on the open market, but the security and fit in Florida clearly outweighed the financial difference.
Ekblad was the first overall pick in the 2014 NHL Draft and won the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year in 2015. While he hasn’t reached superstar status, he has earned Norris Trophy votes three times and remains a key cog in the Panthers’ top-four defense.
Alongside Ekblad, Sam Bennett also signed an eight-year deal, helping solidify the Panthers’ forward group. With both locked in, Florida’s core looks set to compete at the highest level again.
But the offseason business doesn’t stop there. Backup goalie Daniil Tarasov, a restricted free agent (RFA), is expected to sign a new deal in the $1 million range after his time with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Similarly, RFA forward Mackie Samoskevich faces contract negotiations, with a potential bridge deal on the table given the NHL’s rising salary cap.
Fitting these players under the cap, along with other roster needs, remains a challenge. If Tarasov and Samoskevich sign for roughly $2.5 million combined, the Panthers will have limited flexibility left to fill out the rest of the lineup.
Brad Marchand, the veteran winger, was initially offered a one-year contract with a $1 million base salary plus $3 million in bonuses designed to be back-end heavy. However, he ultimately agreed to a six-year deal worth $5.3 million annually, providing Florida with a reliable scorer and leader for the long haul.
Florida also has the capacity to be nearly $10 million over the salary cap during the summer, a short-term allowance that lets them add depth players without violating the $95.5 million threshold. This cushion could be crucial if star forward Matthew Tkachuk requires major surgery this summer—a 50-50 possibility according to reports. Should Tkachuk go on long-term injured reserve (LTIR), the Panthers would gain additional cap space to sign a defenseman or a fourth-line center, bolstering their depth before his anticipated return.
Other roster considerations include Tomas Nosek, who impressed during the postseason but may command a salary above his previous $775,000. Meanwhile, defenseman Nate Schmidt is expected to hit free agency on July 1, with multiple teams likely to pursue the versatile blueliner. Florida may not have the cap space to re-sign Schmidt, but they do have options in-house with Uvis Balinskis ready to slot into the third defensive pair, and Toby Bjornfot and Jaycob Megna potentially returning if qualifying offers are extended.
Rasmus Asplund, who spent most of last season with the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers but appeared in six NHL games, remains unsigned but is a strong candidate to fill the fourth-line center role at a salary similar to Nosek’s last year.
On the goaltending front, Florida is seeking a No. 3 goalie to start with the Charlotte affiliate, providing insurance behind Sergei Bobrovsky and Daniil Tarasov.
Looking beyond the roster moves, the Panthers have a busy summer schedule planned. Their Development Camp runs from June 30 to July 3 at the Fort Lauderdale IcePlex, followed by Rookie Camp and the Prospect Showcase against the Tampa Bay Lightning in early September. Training Camp will commence in mid-September, with exhibition games kicking off on September 21 in a doubleheader against Nashville. The NHL regular season is set to open between October 7 and 9, with opponents and exact dates yet to be announced.
While the Panthers have locked down their stars, the free agent market still offers intriguing options for teams needing defensive help. The recent signings of Ekblad and Ivan Provorov with the Columbus Blue Jackets have removed two top-tier blueliners from the market, but several capable defensemen remain available.
Vladislav Gavrikov, a 29-year-old from the Los Angeles Kings, stands out as a stay-at-home defender capable of logging heavy minutes. He averaged over 23 minutes per game last season, blocked 140 shots, and delivered 50 hits. Gavrikov was instrumental in the Kings’ penalty kill finishing eighth-best in the league at 81.4%. His physical style and defensive reliability make him a sought-after asset, with potential contracts in the $7.5 million per year range.
Nate Schmidt, after a resurgence with Florida following a buyout by Winnipeg, is poised for a pay raise from his previous $800,000 one-year deal. He impressed with 12 points in 21 playoff games and showed versatility across defensive pairings, boasting a Corsi-for percentage of 55.5% on the bottom pairing and 59.1% alongside Niko Mikkola on the second pair. Schmidt is expected to sign for at least $2.5 million.
For teams seeking a puck-moving defenseman on a budget, Matt Grzelcyk offers value. The 31-year-old posted a career-high 40-point season with the Pittsburgh Penguins and contributed 15 power-play assists. His skating and playmaking skills make him an effective second-pairing option, with expected contracts around $3.75 million annually.
As the Panthers continue to navigate the salary cap and roster construction, their recent signings and strategic planning position them well for another deep playoff run. With key players secured and promising prospects developing, Florida aims to sustain its status as one of the NHL’s elite franchises.
