The Florida Panthers‘ Stanley Cup parade came to an end, and it’s officially contract negotiations time in Sunrise. Ahead of the 2025-26 NHL season, the Cats face critical decisions involving Brad Marchand, Sam Bennett, and Aaron Ekblad. According to reports, the organization has an order of priorities regarding their top unrestricted free agents.
The Panthers play one of the hardest styles in the NHL—yet somehow—they party even harder. Following their back-to-back Stanley Cup titles, the Cats are eyeing the three-peat. However, it won’t be an easy task, whatsoever.
To accomplish such a feat, Florida must find a way to secure some of its most valuable assets. With Bennett, Marchand, and Ekblad set to become unrestricted free agents in July, the Panthers are hoping to make ends meet by working out extensions with their stars.
On that note, recent reports around the NHL indicate the Panthers might have an order of priorities regarding their top pending free agents as the offseason looms closer.
Brad Marchand #63 of the Florida Panthers celebrates with fire fighters during the Florida Panthers 2025 Stanley Cup Victory Parade and Rally on June 22, 2025 on Fort Lauderdale Beach, Florida.
“I think the Panthers priorities are [first] Sam Bennett, [second] Aaron Ekblad then [third] Brad Marchand,” insider Chris Johnston stated during a recent episode of his podcats, the Chris Johnston Show.
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Keeping the squad together
While the Panthers might have an specific ranking for their free agents, GM Bill Zito has made it clear he intends to keep them all in Florida. He doubled down on his statement during the Stanley Cup parade, with a sincere confession.
“We want to keep everybody together, [but] if we can’t it’s okay,” Zito said in dialogue with WSVN 7 News. “People get paid, but we’re going to try.”
Message on a T-shirt
Social media has made anyone be able to become a source for crucial information. Even—or some may say, especially—kids, who have grown up with such tools around them. However, Marchand’s son, Sloane, didn’t need no cellphone to send a clear message to Bill Zito and the front office.
“Bring the boys back,“ was written on the front of Sloane Marchand’s T-shirt along with images of Marchand, Ekblad, and Bennett. He made sure everyone read it while making an on-stage appearance during his father speech.
SurveyIf one of them had to leave the Panthers, who would you rather it be?
If one of them had to leave the Panthers, who would you rather it be?
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Throughout the week, Marchand, Bennett, and Ekblad have made sure to remind Zito of their intentions to stay in Broward County. Now, the ball is on the front office’s court. They must figure out how to keep them all in town, while complying with the NHL’s salary cap.
