The Florida Panthers were crowned back-to-back NHL champions, and just hours after their victory over the Edmonton Oilers, the focus has already shifted to key players with expiring contracts in July, including Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad, and veteran Brad Marchand, who joined the team a few months ago from the Boston Bruins.
General manager Bill Zito was clear when giving his opinion on what Florida should do with its core group after winning the Stanley Cup Final in six games. The offseason has just begun, and the cost of maintaining a championship-caliber dynasty is high.
With roughly $19 million in available cap space, the Panthers have secured their second straight title and are now in a position to consider extensions that would allow them to retain their key core, despite the current salary cap constraints.
Bill Zito’s admission about the Panthers’ stars
Florida Panthers GM Bill Zito spoke in an interview with TSN and expressed full confidence in keeping three fundamental players as Marchand, Bennett, and Ekblad on the roster. “I think we can bring them all back,” Zito admitted.
Zito’s confidence in the negotiations reflects a clear plan: preserve the championship core and solidify a winning culture. This would allow the Panthers to avoid a costly rebuild and maintain the momentum gained from winning the Stanley Cup.
Each case has its own details
Marchand, Ekblad, and Bennett are each in different contractual situations. The 37-year-old forward signed a one-year deal and knows he’ll have to make a sacrifice, as staying with the team would require accepting a significant pay cut. Ekblad, meanwhile, is entering the final year of his current contract and is already drawing speculation around a potential extension. Bennett is in the same situation and is viewed as a top priority for a long-term deal.