In the past three days, the Florida Panthers have resolved an issue that seemed like it could drag on for days. The extensions for star forward Sam Bennett, veteran winger Brad Marchand, and legendary defenseman Aaron Ekblad are huge news for the back-to-back Stanley Cup champions, who also managed to secure another key player.
In the final hours of June 30, just before free agency began, Ekblad signed an eight-year, $48.8 million contract, while Marchand agreed to a six-year, $31.5 million deal. Florida’s top priorities were officially secured.
Bennett, for his part, finalized an eight-year, $64 million extension. His new deal joins those of Ekblad and Marchand, who both had strong interest from other teams monitoring their situations. Just when it seemed like the salary cap wouldn’t allow for more moves, general manager Bill Zito managed to finalize another important agreement.
Which player re-signed with the Panthers?
According to NHL insider Pierre LeBrun, veteran Czech forward Tomas Nosek has signed a new one-year deal with the Panthers worth $775,000. The deal is a low-cost contract that comes in under the $1 million mark and allows the team to maintain valuable depth without putting additional strain on their salary cap.
Tomas Nosek of the Panthers
Nosek brings experience and depth to the team’s third line, serving as a 32-year-old center who provides a reliable alternative to the starting forwards. His contract carries a cap hit that doesn’t significantly affect the Panthers’ financial flexibility.
see also
NHL News: Panthers select which veteran to let go after re-signing Brad Marchand, Sam Bennett, and Aaron Ekblad
Nosek’s support for the Panthers
Last season, Nosek appeared in 59 regular-season games, recording one goal and eight points, and added three assists in 16 playoff games, helping Florida capture their second straight Stanley Cup in 2025. His contributions remain crucial for Sunrise’s dynasty aspirations.
