Positives & Concerns For Panthers' Extensions Of Marchand & Ekblad

On the eve of the 2025 NHL Free Agency period, the Florida Panthers put lots of fans' worries and stress to rest. On Monday afternoon, the club was able to come to an agreement on contract extensions for both Brad Marchand and Aaron Ekblad. This news comes days after the team was able to sign center Sam Bennett to a new contract.

The Marchand extension was first announced by NHL insider Elliotte Friedman. He was also the first to report that Ekblad's deal was finalized and that he would remain with Florida. This comes as a surprise to many around the hockey world. Almost everyone was leaning towards the fact that Florida would be able to keep a maximum of two players, yet they were able to keep all three marquee names for the foreseeable future.

The defenseman who was originally drafted by the Panthers with the top pick in the 2014 NHL Draft took a massive hometown discount to stay with the only franchise he's played for. Ekblad signed an eight-year deal that pays him an annual salary of $6.1 million per year. The contract expires after the 2032-33 season. People were expecting Ekblad to sign a deal for anywhere between $7 and $8.5 million.

The veteran blueliner was rumored to head to teams like Dallas and Utah, but those whispers on social media have been put to rest. While the massive pay cut is surprising, it shouldn't be for Panthers fans in reality. All the fans who have been around for a while know that the contract Ekblad finished was his 'big boy' contract.

Back in the summer of 2016, then-general manager Tom Rowe signed Aaron to an eight-year deal worth $60 million. While it took a long time for this to finally get done, it couldn't have come at a better time since the market will open on Tuesday. Throughout his career in South Florida, the native of Windsor, Ontario, has accomplished a lot on his way to being the best defenseman in team history.

After being taken first overall in 2014, Ekblad won the Calder Trophy as the league's top rookie in 2015. He would then go on to play in two NHL All-Star Games(2015, 2016) and was named to the NHL's All-Rookie First Team. Now, he has two Stanley Cup rings he can always hold onto. The 11-year veteran has amassed 380 points in 732 career games, all in Florida red.

Now, despite the long-term extension that comes with a discount, there is still reason for concern. It's not because Ekblad is a bad player, but rather due to his durability. Even though he is one of the best defensemen in the league, Aaron Ekblad has also been one of the most injury-prone. For most of his career, he has missed substantial time due to various ailments.

Ekblad has had concussions, issues with his shoulders, several more upper-body injuries, and lower-body ailments as well. He's had broken bones and all types of problems that have kept guys out of lineups. Ekblad is one of the NHL's toughest players, but there is always reason for concern when discussing a player with a lengthy history of injuries like Ekblad.

However, that is the one negative that comes with this deal. Everything else about the contract is great. Considering that a player of Ekblad's caliber would sign for only $6.1 million per year is staggering and shocking. However, his agreeing to this deal makes a statement that players do value culture, winning, and close bonds with teammates. South Florida is the only place where he's been, and it's his home. Ekblad prioritizes all those things, and he wants to keep taking shots to add more success for the Panthers.

""I live and breathe for the Florida Panthers. I bleed for the Florida Panthers. I've given my body and everything to this team. I want to keep doing it forever, for as long as they'll let me keep coming to the rink.""

Aaron Ekblad per Jamison Olive(6/3/25)

As for Marchand, the 37-year-old winger signed his new deal on Monday as well. Brad is coming off one of the most memorable playoff runs that an individual player has ever had. One of the former faces of the Boston Bruins was shockingly dealt at the trade deadline to the team that had eliminated them in each of the prior two postseasons.

In his new home, 'Marchy' quickly fit in and experienced a career rejuvenation. The man who has become known as' The Little Ball Of Hate' went from looking in his rearview mirror against the Panthers to being comfortable with them and excelled on one of hockey's best lines. Once a rival, Marchand had a postseason for the ages.

In Florida's second Stanley Cup title run, he scored 10 goals and assisted on 10 others. Along the way, he had so many clutch and iconic moments that will be remembered for years to come. It was a tremendous stretch of performances from him. Now, he's well-loved and is rewarded with one last big contract before his career is done. He signed a six-year deal worth $5.25 million per season.

While there is excitement about him retiring as a Panther, there is a massive risk to this deal. Giving a third-line, 37-year-old, this much term is outrageous 99.9% of the time. Also included is a No Movement Clause for the first four years and a Modified No Trade Clause during the last two years. Given his age, it's hard not to see that as a potential problem for the future.

He'll be getting paid until he is 43 years old, and it's hard to see him playing for that long. However, this is a statement made by Bill Zito, and it's worth a shot. He's electing to keep the band together, and why not? Why fix what's not broken? They are going for the three-peat, and that should always be the goal.

The team has accepted Marchand as one of their own. He has bonded well with the rest of the team, starting the DQ craze during Florida's playoff run. Marchand is well-liked, and the players have massive amounts of respect for him in that locker room. He brings and exudes life into the team, and that's needed.