The Florida Panthers have once again demonstrated their commitment to maintaining a championship-caliber core by re-signing two of their pivotal players, defenseman Aaron Ekblad and forward Brad Marchand, just ahead of the NHL free agency period opening on July 1, 2025. This strategic move comes less than two weeks after the Panthers secured Sam Bennett, the reigning Conn Smythe Trophy winner and playoff MVP, to a long-term deal, solidifying a core group that led them to back-to-back Stanley Cup championships.
On Monday, June 30, 2025, the Panthers announced Ekblad’s eight-year contract extension worth $48.8 million, carrying an average annual value (AAV) of approximately $6.1 million. This deal keeps the 29-year-old defenseman firmly in South Florida through the 2032-33 NHL season. Shortly after Ekblad’s deal was finalized, Brad Marchand agreed to a six-year contract, further locking down key pieces of the Panthers’ roster well into the next decade.
Ekblad, the first overall pick in the 2014 NHL Draft, has spent his entire 11-year NHL career with the Panthers and is widely regarded as one of the franchise’s foundational players. With 732 regular-season games played, he holds franchise defenseman records in games played, goals (118), assists (262), and points (380). His contributions have extended beyond the regular season, with eight goals and 25 assists in 83 playoff games, including four goals and nine assists during the Panthers’ recent Stanley Cup-winning postseason run.
Despite some challenges in recent seasons—including a downturn in offensive production and a 20-game suspension during the 2024-25 season for violating the NHL/NHLPA performance enhancement substances program—Ekblad has remained a vital presence on the ice. He logged over 23 minutes per game this past season and played a critical role on both the power play and penalty kill units. His leadership and resilience have been pivotal to Florida’s sustained success.
“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,” said Panthers president of hockey operations and general manager Bill Zito. “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.”
Ekblad expressed his excitement about the extension in a team-released video, stating, “I’m so excited to be a Panther for the next eight years. I’m honored and privileged to have gotten a deal done today. It’s everything I could have ever asked for. I’m really excited to get back to work and get on our way to winning a third straight Stanley Cup.” His dedication to the Panthers is clear, having said ahead of the Stanley Cup Final, “Listen, this team, I live and breathe for the Florida Panthers. I bleed for the Florida Panthers. I’ve given my body and everything to this team, and I want to keep doing it forever, for as long as they’ll let me come to the rink.”
Brad Marchand’s six-year deal, agreed upon shortly after Ekblad’s extension, adds further stability to the Panthers’ lineup. While the exact financial terms of Marchand’s contract remain undisclosed, sources suggest it is structured with a base salary and performance bonuses that align with the team’s salary cap strategy. Marchand, known for his tenacity and scoring ability, has been a key contributor to Florida’s recent success and is expected to continue playing a major role.
With Ekblad and Marchand’s contracts secured, the Panthers now have ten players under contract through at least 2030 or beyond, including Aleksander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Reinhart, Gustav Forsling, Carter Verhaeghe, Anton Lundell, Seth Jones, and of course, Sam Bennett, who signed an eight-year, $64 million deal earlier in June 2025. This core group forms the backbone of a team aiming to become the first since the New York Islanders in the early 1980s to win three consecutive Stanley Cups.
General manager Bill Zito’s approach has clearly been to prioritize retaining homegrown talent and proven performers. The Panthers entered the 2025 offseason with approximately $11 million in salary cap space, and after signing these key players, they reportedly have around $4 million remaining, factoring in the salary of new backup goalie Daniil Tarasov.
Beyond Florida, other NHL teams have also been active in securing their defensive cores. Edmonton re-signed Evan Bouchard to a four-year, $42 million deal, Columbus agreed to a seven-year, $59.5 million contract with Ivan Provorov, and the New York Islanders locked in Alexander Romanov for eight years at $50 million. Meanwhile, Washington signed Declan Chisholm for two years at $2.6 million, and Detroit re-signed winger Patrick Kane to a one-year, $3 million deal with performance bonuses.
The Red Wings also made a notable trade, sending Vladimir Tarasenko to Minnesota for future considerations. Tarasenko, 33, has one year left on his contract with a $4.75 million cap hit, and the Wild hope he can rebound after a down year with Detroit where he scored 11 goals and 22 assists.
Other moves include Utah trading young forward Matias Maccelli to Toronto for a conditional 2027 third-round pick, which could become a second-rounder in 2029, and Carolina acquiring the rights to goaltender Cayden Primeau from Montreal for a 2026 seventh-round pick.
Looking ahead, the Panthers are preparing for a busy summer and fall schedule with their Development Camp running from July 1 to 3, Rookie Camp and Prospect Showcase in early September, followed by Training Camp in mid-September. Their exhibition games commence on September 21 with a doubleheader in Nashville, and opening night is slated between October 7 and 9, with opponents and exact dates to be announced.
With their core players locked in and a clear vision for the future, the Florida Panthers are poised to continue their dominance in the NHL. Fans will be eagerly watching to see if this championship team can make history by capturing a third straight Stanley Cup.