Following the extension of Sam Bennettās contract in Sunrise, the Florida Panthers learned troubling news amid negotiations with another pending free agent. As reports indicate, it will take a bigger effort for both parties to reach an agreement before the start of the NHLās free agency.
Winning comes at a price, and the Panthers have learned itās not a cheap one. However, the Cats are willing to foot the bill if it means keeping the back-to-back championsā core in full force.
Conn Smythe Trophy winner Sam Bennett was the first to come off the 2025 free agency board. Bennett became the fourth-highest paid player in Sunrise signing an eight-year, $64 million deal. Fans are hopeful Brad Marchand and Aaron Ekblad will be next in line, but that dream scenario may be headed for a major roadblock.
According to reports around the NHL, it will take a bigger effort for the Panthers to reach an agreement with Ekblad, who could leave the organization that drafted him first overall in 2014.
Aaron Ekblad #5 of the Florida Panthers in action against the Chicago Blackhawks during the second period at Amerant Bank Arena on February 01, 2025 in Sunrise, Florida.
āThe gap in offers between Aaron Ekblad and the Panthers is still too large,ā insider Elliotte Friedman said during Sundayās 32 Thoughts Podcast.
see also
NHL News: Bill Zito delivers blunt reminder to Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Bennett, Panthers amid buzz around Brad Marchandās future
Cap space
After handing Bennett an eight-year deal with an $8 million annual cap hit, the Panthers are left with $11 million in cap space, according to PuckPedia. Florida still has six roster spots to fill for the 2025ā26 NHL season. Bill Zito and the Cats will have to work their magic to keep both Marchand and Ekblad in the organization.
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Off to Salt Lake City?
While almost every NHL team will be interested in Ekblad if he becomes available, an insider believes there is one team sneakily leading the race: the Utah Mammoth. āWould Toronto be a fit? I keep hearing Utah [as a landing spot for Ekblad],ā Darren Dreger said on the Barn Burner podcast.
