Florida Panthers Secure Key Players with New Contracts

The Florida Panthers made significant moves on Monday, finalizing contracts for two of their star players just days after clinching their second consecutive Stanley Cup title.

Aaron Ekblad and Brad Marchand, alongside Sam Bennett, expressed their desire to remain in South Florida, and the organization has honored that wish. Following Bennett's long-term deal, the Panthers confirmed the re-signing of both Ekblad and Marchand.

Ekblad's new contract spans eight years, totaling $48.8 million, while Marchand secured a six-year agreement. These details emerged from a source familiar with the negotiations who requested anonymity due to the lack of official announcements from the team.

With NHL free agency set to begin on Tuesday, the Panthers acted swiftly. Had either player entered the market, they likely would have attracted offers exceeding what Florida could afford, even with the salary cap experiencing a historic increase.

"Aaron is a pillar of our defense who has consistently excelled at both ends of the ice as one of the best defensemen in the NHL over the past decade," said general manager Bill Zito regarding Ekblad. "From a Calder-winning rookie campaign to two Stanley Cup championships, Aaron's consummate leadership on and off the ice has been integral to our team's success. After cementing his place in Panthers history, we are thrilled that he will continue his career in South Florida."

With these signings, Ekblad and Marchand become the ninth and tenth players under contract with the Panthers through at least 2030 or beyond. They join a strong roster that includes Aleksander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Reinhart, Gustav Forsling, Carter Verhaeghe, Anton Lundell, Seth Jones, and Bennett—who recently signed an eight-year deal worth $64 million.

The summer's pressing question for the Panthers was whether they could retain a combination of Bennett, Ekblad, and Marchand, all of whom were poised for free agency. The answer turned out to be affirmative for all three.

Ekblad wasn't the only defenseman to secure a new deal on Monday. Edmonton finalized a significant contract with Evan Bouchard worth $42 million over four years, resulting in an annual cap hit of $10.5 million.

Columbus also made headlines by agreeing to terms with Ivan Provorov on a seven-year contract valued at $59.5 million, according to an anonymous source familiar with the extension.

The New York Islanders signed Alexander Romanov to an eight-year deal worth $50 million, as reported by another source who spoke on condition of anonymity due to undisclosed terms.

In Washington, the team signed recently acquired Declan Chisholm for $2.6 million over two years while opting not to extend a qualifying offer to Alexander Alexeyev, making him an unrestricted free agent.

Detroit re-signed winger Patrick Kane to a one-year contract with a $3 million salary plus performance bonuses. General manager Steve Yzerman expressed optimism about retaining Kane over the weekend.

To create space for Kane's contract, the Red Wings traded Vladimir Tarasenko to Minnesota for future considerations. Tarasenko, 33, has one year remaining on his contract with a cap hit of $4.75 million.

The Wild are banking on Tarasenko's resurgence after he recorded just 11 goals and 22 assists with Detroit last season—the lowest point total of his career in any season where he played at least half of the games.

"He's a player in need of a fresh start," said general manager Bill Guerin. "The contract and the money and everything just kind of fits. We're a place that Vladdy can come and hopefully get back to the form he's had in his past years. I just think there's a lot we can do to help him."

In other transactions, Utah traded young forward Matias Maccelli to Toronto for a conditional 2027 third-round pick that could escalate to a second-rounder in 2029 if Maccelli achieves 51-plus points and the Maple Leafs qualify for the playoffs next season.

Carolina also acquired the rights to goaltender Cayden Primeau from Montreal in exchange for a 2026 seventh-round pick.