Florida Panthers shock NHL: Aaron Ekblad, Brad Marchand, Sam Bennett sign blockbuster long-term deals before free agency

Fresh off celebrating their second consecutive Stanley Cup, the Florida Panthers wasted no time proving they intend to stay on top. With the 2025 NHL Free Agency period about to open, Florida fired the first major shot of the offseason—locking in three of their most important players before they could even hear rival offers.

In a proactive and decisive move, the Panthers ensured Aaron Ekblad, Brad Marchand, and Sam Bennett will remain the core of their championship roster, even as the league’s rising salary cap made their futures anything but guaranteed.

Florida Panthers build long-term contender by locking up championship core before NHL free agency, signaling aggressive offseason strategy

Heading into the summer, there was one big question in South Florida: Could the Panthers really keep any combination of Bennett, Ekblad, and Marchand, with all three set to become unrestricted free agents? The answer turned out to be yes—on all fronts.

Aaron Ekblad agreed to an eight-year deal worth an average of $6.1 million per season. Brad Marchand committed to six years at around $5 million annually, according to Sportsnet. The deals were completed just before NHL free agency began, a critical step for the Panthers given the record-setting increase in the salary cap this year. Had they reached the open market, both veterans were expected to command offers the Panthers would have struggled to match.

The team has yet to formally announce the contracts, but people familiar with the negotiations confirmed the deals to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. These signings are central to Florida’s long-term strategy of stability and sustained success, solidifying their identity as a team built to contend well beyond their recent championship runs.

They now have ten players signed through at least 2030, including Aleksander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Reinhart, Gustav Forsling, Carter Verhaeghe, Anton Lundell, Seth Jones, and Bennett, who recently finalized his own eight-year, $64 million deal.

NHL offseason trades, signings, and contract extensions shake up team rosters before 2025 free agency

While Florida was locking in its championship core, other NHL teams also moved quickly ahead of the free agency rush. The Columbus Blue Jackets agreed to terms with Ivan Provorov on a seven-year, $59.5 million extension, according to a person with knowledge of the negotiations who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.The New York Islanders signed Alexander Romanov to an eight-year contract valued at $50 million, confirmed by another person familiar with the deal who requested anonymity because the team had not officially disclosed the terms.Meanwhile, the Minnesota Wild made a move of their own, acquiring winger Vladimir Tarasenko from the Detroit Red Wings for future considerations. Tarasenko has one year left at a $4.75 million cap hit and is coming off the lowest point total of any season in which he played at least half the games. The Wild are counting on a bounce-back campaign from the 33-year-old veteran to bolster their scoring depth.Elsewhere, the Utah Mammoth sent forward Matias Maccelli to the Toronto Maple Leafs for a conditional 2027 third-round pick that will become a second-rounder in 2029 if Maccelli scores more than 51 points and Toronto makes the playoffs next season.As the NHL’s 2025 Free Agency period begins, the race to lock up top talent is already changing the league’s landscape. By securing their stars before the market even opened, the Panthers made a clear statement: this Stanley Cup champion isn’t content to defend its title—it’s building a legacy designed to last in South Florida for years to come.Also Read: Nashville Predators complete blockbuster trade for Nicolas Hague, sending Jeremy Lauzon and Colton Sissons to Vegas Golden Knights