Aaron Ekblad scored 30 goals in 56 games for the Florida Panthers last season, including several alongside Brad Marchand—who still hasn’t confirmed his future with the Stanley Cup champions. That situation could become even more complicated following the latest report on Ekblad’s future deal.
According to Elliotte Friedman, the Panthers have reportedly decided to extend Ekblad’s stay with the team for at least eight more years at an annual salary of around $6.1 million. That deal would put him in a similar salary range to what Marchand earned in his first season.
With Aaron Ekblad has already secured a major extension with the Panthers, that puts Marchand in a tighter spot—especially if he wants to remain in Florida. Not only has Ekblad made his decision, but his deal likely forces Marchand to lower his salary demands if he hopes to stay. As Pierre LeBrun reported yesterday, a return to the Bruins remains a possibility.
A lower salary for Ekblad
It’s true that Ekblad’s performance was somewhat subdued last NHL season, and the Panthers likely considered that in their offer of $6.1 million annually. This new deal places him $1.4 million below his previous eight-year contract with the team, which carried a $7.5 million salary.
Aaron Ekblad has not played more than 50 games in a season since 2022-23, but he is significantly younger than Brad Marchand. The 36-year-old Marchand, by contrast, appeared in 71 regular season games in the recently concluded season, where he scored 10 goals in the playoffs.
see also
NHL News: Auston Matthews’ Maple Leafs reportedly willing to give Brad Marchand a strong reason to leave Panthers
Fans react to Ekblad’s extension
Comments across various platforms regarding Ekblad’s extension were largely positive. Some observers noted that Ekblad might have commanded a bit more on the open market, perhaps around $8.5 million per season, suggesting the Panthers secured his new contract at a considerable discount.
