Conquering the Stanley Cup for a second straight season might not have been the toughest challenge the Florida Panthers faced in 2025. Instead, re-signing Brad Marchand, Sam Bennett, and Aaron Ekblad while staying under the NHL salary cap could prove to be an even more memorable feat. To make that happen, however, Florida must make room—and it has reportedly identified its cap casualty.
The Panthers‘ magical run in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs won’t be forgotten anytime soon in Sunrise. Still, everybody in Florida is hoping this wasn’t a brief, though joyful chapter in the franchise’s history. Aiming to do it all over again next season, the Cats would love to run it back with the same roster.
That’s way easier said than done, but GM Bill Zito is not backing down from a challenge. Tough decisions must be made in order to extend Marchand, Bennett, and Ekblad’s contracts with the Panthers.
On that note, the Cats have reportedly zeroed in on the player they’ll part ways with to make room for the significant extensions looming for Florida’s three-headed monster of pending UFAs. The departures may not end at Evan Rodrigues, a veteran the Panthers are set to part ways with this offseason.
Nate Schmidt #88 of the Florida Panthers celebrates with the Stanley Cup after defeating the Edmonton Oilers in Game Six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena on June 17, 2025 in Sunrise, Florida.
According to The Athletic’s insider Pierre LeBrun, veteran defenseman Nate Schmidt is most likely to be let go once the NHL’s free agency period starts on July 1st. “I think it’s more likely than not he’s gone,” LeBrun said.
see also
Not Sam Bennett or Brad Marchand: Matthew Tkachuk’s key teammate is reportedly close to ending a long run with the Panthers
Stepping up
Schmidt made an immediate impact since arriving in South Florida prior to the start of the 2024-25 NHL season. The 33-year-old blueliner played mostly in the third pairing in the regular season, registering 19 points in 80 games.
However, it was once the postseason began that the former Winnipeg Jets defenseman turned it up a notch. Schmidt recorded 12 points in 23 games, with 3 goals and 9 assists. Once an undrafted NHL prospect, the blueliner hoisted his first Stanley Cup with the Panthers in 2025.
Sam Bennett #9 of the Florida Panthers celebrates with the Conn Smythe Trophy after defeating the Edmonton Oilers in Game Six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena on June 17, 2025 in Sunrise, Florida.
First in line
After captain Aleksander Barkov hoisted the Cup, Schmidt was next in line—a handoff that perfectly captured what these Cats are all about. Every player who hadn’t won a title before stood ahead in the handoff line, even ahead of veterans like Marchand, Ekblad, and Bennett.
The party is coming to an end in Florida, and Schmidt’s time is reportedly up. He isn’t the only player trending to leave the organization, however.
SurveyDo you think Florida can re-sign all of the Marchand, Ekblad, and Bennett trio?
Do you think Florida can re-sign all of the Marchand, Ekblad, and Bennett trio?
already voted 0 people
Reports indicate Evan Rodrigues could be dealt out of Sunrise. Keeping Marchand, Bennett, and Ekblad under contract will require an all-out effort and every dollar counts. “[Rodrigues] is one to watch as a potential cap casualty,” insider Nick Kypreos said about the 31-year-old veteran.
