Keeping all three of Brad Marchand, Sam Bennett, and Aaron Ekblad was all the Florida Panthers cared about. The organization in Sunrise accomplished just that, but it came at a cost. Now, the locker room is seeing many familiar faces move out. On that note, a two-time Stanley Cup champion is moving on to the next chapter of his NHL career, joining the Minnesota Wild.
The NHL free agency has started off with a bang. It may not have too many household names, especially after the Panthers retained all of their ‘Big Three’ pending UFAs, but it’s intense nevertheless.
Florida’s intentions were clear from the get-go. It wanted to keep Marchand, Ekblad, and Bennett in town, willingly accepting it would hinder its chances to bring back almost every other player on the lineup.
In order to re-sign Marchand, the Panthers had to get creative, even pulling off a controversial move. The Cats also managed to re-sign Tomas Nosek, as well. But that might’ve been the last tricks left up Bill Zito’s sleeve.
Nico Sturm #8 of the Florida Panthers celebrates with the Stanley Cup following the Cup win against the Edmonton Oilers in Game Six of the 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena on June 17, 2025 in Sunrise, Florida.
Wilding out
Now, the franchise in the State of Hockey—which has yet to win a Stanley Cup—is reportedly signing a player who has hoisted Lord Stanley twice in his career. Although he didn’t see much ice time during the Panthers’ most recent conquest, it could be a significant addition to a lineup as needy as the Wild’s.
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NHL News: Panthers keep another player for less than $1M after extending Marchand, Bennett, and Ekblad
According to reports from insider Michael Russo, the Wild are closing in on bringing back free-agent center Nico Sturm, who played four seasons in Minnesota.
Leaving the nest and returning to it
Sturm, an undrafted prospect, entered the NHL in 2018 when the Wild gave him a chance on the big leagues. He later joined the Colorado Avalanche, where he conquered the 2022 Stanley Cup. During the trade deadline of 2025, Sturm was traded by San Jose to Florida, where he went on to hoist his second Cup.
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Now, he reportedly returns to the Twin Cities, where his journey started in the NHL. He is hoping to bring glory to the State of Hockey, where the fans are anxiously waiting for the championship drought to end.
