Building a dynasty is no easy task, maintaining one is even harder. That’s the challenge the Florida Panthers are currently facing as they remain in ongoing talks to extend the contracts of Brad Marchand, Sam Bennett, and Aaron Ekblad ahead of the 2025–26 NHL season. With Matthew Tkachuk as the team’s emotional leader, the Sunrise franchise is entering a crucial stretch.
Bennett, the Conn Smythe winner and a key piece of Florida’s back-to-back championships, is in the process of negotiating a long-term extension, although talks have reportedly stalled. Meanwhile, despite his age, Marchand is also said to be close to a new deal, although he ranks behind Bennett in terms of extension priority.
Tkachuk has previously encouraged Marchand and rest of his teammates to ask general manager Bill Zito for the best possible deals. However, what the Panthers star may not have anticipated is that this dynamic could lead to one key teammate being on the verge of leaving the team.
Which Panthers player could be on the move?
NHL insider Frank Seravalli of SN 650 has revealed that the key teammate of Tkachuk who is reportedly close to departing the Panthers is none other than Aaron Ekblad, whose “leaving in free agency is the way this is trending.” His long tenure with the team could come to an end once free agency opens.
In other words, the current trend suggests that Ekblad will not sign a new deal with the Panthers and will instead test the open market starting July 1. While it’s not an official confirmation, it implies that negotiations aren’t progressing well, or that the franchise may be prioritizing other players like Bennett and Marchand.
Ekblad’s impact on the Panthers
Ekblad enters this offseason with a historic legacy, having been selected first overall in the 2014 Draft. After 11 seasons in Florida, he has become an iconic blueliner, appearing in 732 games and ranking among the franchise’s all-time leaders in goals and assists. However, his future with the team is in doubt due to a $7.5 million cap hit and a front office that may no longer consider him a top priority.