Brad Marchand and the Panthers won the Stanley Cup in a thrilling final series against the Edmonton Oilers. As has become a team tradition, the handing over of the final puck in the locker room was a very special moment. In an emotional gesture, the honor went to Bill Zito, who recalled the moment during an interview with Pat McAfee.
āI did receive the puck. I put it in the board and it was surreal. I still probably donāt appreciate it. I was so shocked and so surprised that I donāt even know what I said. I was pretty rattled. Looking back on it, it was an honor and what a privilege to be with those guys.ā
Now, thanks to his brilliant moves, Zito will keep those same guys together for several more years, and right now, the Florida Panthers look like favorites to win another championship and achieve the coveted three-peat.
What was Brad Marchandās Panthers offer?
Brad Marchand signed a six-year contract extension with the Florida Panthers worth around $32 million, carrying an average annual value of approximately $5.25 million. The deal is structured to be cap-friendly, with a relatively low base salary each year and most of the compensation delivered through signing bonuses.
This approach allows the Panthers to manage their salary cap effectively while securing a veteran star through the twilight of his career. Marchandās leadership and playoff experience are seen as key assets in Floridaās continued pursuit of championships.
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NHL News: Panthers lose another Stanley Cup champion after keeping Brad Marchand, Sam Bennett, and Aaron Ekblad
In addition, Zito also secured contract extensions for other stars like Sam Bennett and Aaron Ekblad, something that seemed highly unlikely just a few weeks ago. Because of that, the Panthersā dynasty could very well extend into the near future.
