Headlines

  • Alex Ovechkin, Capitals Haven’t Had Extension Talks
  • Blake Wheeler Reaffirms Retirement
  • Jets Sign Gabriel Vilardi To Six-Year Contract
  • Ducks Sign Drew Helleson To Two-Year Deal
  • Jaroslav Halak Announces Retirement
  • Maple Leafs Acquire Dakota Joshua From Canucks
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • MLB Trade Rumors
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors

Pro Hockey Rumors

  • Home
  • Teams
    • Atlantic
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Central
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Dallas Stars
      • Minnesota Wild
      • Nashville Predators
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Utah Mammoth
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • Metropolitan
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Pacific
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Partners
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
Go To MLB Trade Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Panthers Sign Aaron Ekblad To Max-Term Extension

June 30, 2025 at 6:35 pm CDT | by Josh Erickson 41 Comments

6:35 p.m.: Florida has announced Ekblad’s new eight-year contract.

2:15 p.m.: The Panthers and defenseman Aaron Ekblad have made significant progress on a long-term extension to keep him away from the free agent market tomorrow, TSN’s Bob McKenzie reports. It will be an eight-year deal worth around $48.8MM for a cap hit of $6.1MM, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.  PuckPedia reports the deal contains a full no-move clause for the first six years and a 16-team no-trade in the other two and breaks down as follows:

2025-26 to 2027-28: $1MM salary, $6.9MM signing bonus
2028-29: $1MM salary, $5.14MM signing bonus
2029-30 to 2032-33: $1MM salary, $3.74MM signing bonus 

Florida’s commitment to Ekblad, who would have been the top defenseman on the market had he tested free agency, comes after months of hesitancy to dole out a long-term commitment. Now, GM Bill Zito has acquiesced and will give Ekblad the long-term stability he desired with a significant discount on the cap hit he could have landed as a UFA, which McKenzie says could have been as high as $9MM.

The lifelong Panther gets to stay in Florida, who made clear during their run to their second straight Stanley Cup championship that he never wanted to leave. Their 2014 first overall pick set the club’s franchise record for games played and points by a defenseman several years ago, scoring 380 points with a +96 rating in 732 games in a Florida uniform over the past 11 years.

He could very well only end up signing three NHL contracts – his entry-level deal, the eight-year, $60MM extension he signed in 2016, and this one. While no doubt a top-pairing threat now coming in at a significant discount on his previous cap hit of $7.5MM, his injury history was always the holdup in signing him to a long-term deal. The Panthers felt that was a steep enough discount to quell their concerns, while Ekblad was willing to take nearly a 33% cut on his market value to land as much stability as possible.

Although Ekblad hasn’t played a full 82-game schedule since 2018-19 and has only hit the 70-game mark once since then, he did have a mostly healthy 2024-25 campaign that was truncated by a late-season suspension for PEDs. He still finished the season with a 3-30–33 scoring line in 56 games, along with a +11 rating. His 23:31 average time on ice was his most in three years, bolstered by an increase in power-play time in the wake of Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Brandon Montour’s departures in free agency last year, which also played a role in his offensive resurgence. His 0.59 points per game in 2024-25 were the fourth-highest mark of his career.

Ekblad was also spectacular in the postseason, posting 13 points and a +10 rating in 19 games. That was his highest point total in any of Florida’s three straight runs to the Stanley Cup Final.

The 29-year-old will now reprise his role alongside Gustav Forsling for the foreseeable future as one of the best two-way pairs in the league. The duo logged 870 minutes together in the regular season and controlled 54.6% of expected goals while doing so, per MoneyPuck. He also forms one of the best one-two punches among right-shot D in the league with in-season acquisition Seth Jones. The trio of Florida’s top three defensemen is now under contract through 2029-30 (when Jones’ deal expires) at a combined cap hit of just $18.85MM – extremely good value that sets the Panthers up to continue having the flexibility to maintain a championship-contending roster.

Florida now has $4.9MM in cap space remaining with five roster spots to fill, per PuckPedia. That rules out an extension for their other highly notable UFA, winger Brad Marchand, at first glance, but they can get creative. They certainly won’t be able to match high-priced multi-year offers without offloading a salary or two, but could offer Marchand, who’s eligible for a bonus-laden one-year deal because of his age, a low base salary with easily achievable performance bonuses. That would allow them to initially be cap compliant with him, but if those bonuses are achieved and exceed the cap, Florida would be hit with a hefty penalty for 2026-27.

Image courtesy of Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images.

Share 0 Retweet 0 Send via email

Florida Panthers| Newsstand| Transactions Aaron Ekblad

Oilers Sign Evan Bouchard To Four-Year Extension
Main
Central Notes: Boeser, Yamamoto, Grand Casino Arena
View Comments (41)

Comments

  1. Jaxteller

    3 weeks ago

    Dang if that’s true it means Marchy has to be gone. Or Zito and team have really spun some magic

    1
    Reply
    • Gbear

      3 weeks ago

      Keep an eye on Zito moving out ERod to free up room to keep Marchy.

      1
      Reply
    • Jaxteller

      3 weeks ago

      Would still be pretty tight even if they do and Marchy agrees to less than market. It’s possible but I’m not holding my breath on it.

      Reply
    • jeremyn

      3 weeks ago

      NOPE… they just announced Marchand 6/32

      1
      Reply
    • Jaxteller

      3 weeks ago

      I stand corrected sir. Go Cats

      3
      Reply
    • Lightning Strike

      3 weeks ago

      And…they did.
      Bill Zito is a walking masterclass of a GM. I can’t believe this. Yes, the term on these deals is obviously too long (especially Marchand’s), but at that AAV…wow. Not to mention that by the time these deals age, the cap will have gone up significantly, giving FLA even more flexibility.
      In the meantime, they’re going to have their core locked up for the next few years while simultaneously giving themselves increased flexibility as the cap rises while keeping these AAV’s so low. Even if/when they age poorly, it won’t handicap them nearly as much as it would’ve in prior years. Ingenious.
      Goodness, I hate these guys. They’re so good.

      4
      Reply
  2. FeeltheThunder

    3 weeks ago

    This is looking like a clear sign Brad Marchand is leaving Florida if Aaron Ekblad is staying unless he’s taking a discount or otherwise Marchand is leaving.

    1
    Reply
    • FeeltheThunder

      3 weeks ago

      To add, Ekblad took a 33% discount apparently but even at $6.1M AAV for 8 years is a contract that’s going to age quite poorly sooner rather than later. Any team that would have signed him long term was going to be stuck with a broken down player in the near future.

      The type of players Florida are keeping long term like Bennett, Ekblad, & such is only keeping their playoff window open for a rather short-term as these are players that won’t be lasting long because of the types of players they are.

      1
      Reply
    • OneTimer

      3 weeks ago

      And even a shot at 1 more cup with this team is worth it. You guys are so worried about how contracts age and there’s literally several ways to skirt around that. Trades, LTIR, Buyouts, etc. Give your team the best chance to win a cup now and nothing else matters. You don’t have to sit on a contract for the entire duration

      Reply
    • emt126

      3 weeks ago

      @feelthethunder. You are pathetic. The best GM in all of sports. All would have gotten 2-3 million more per year from other teams. These deals are amazing. Salaries at the tail end are very low, the cap goes way up. These players have bought into the team culture, not 2-3 high paid, then a vast of characters. That is why the Cup will be South of the boarder for a very long time. Lord Stanley loves the beach, not the snow.

      1
      Reply
    • FeeltheThunder

      3 weeks ago

      @emt126 – I’m pathetic?! After hearing your diluted diatribe, look in the mirror, you self-delusional fanboy. Best GM in all of sports?!? He didn’t even win GM of the year in the NHL much less be the best GM in all of sports lol. You Panther fans are some of the most arrogantly delirious individuals. Also, their run could end next year as there is no guarantee they’re winning the Cup next season, no one stays on top for long, that’s a reality you’ll soon face.

      Reply
    • Our cup runneth over

      3 weeks ago

      Haters keep hating.

      Reply
  3. jdgoat

    3 weeks ago

    Well that’s pretty damn cheap. They’re running it back

    3
    Reply
    • bigdaddyt

      3 weeks ago

      Cheap? Imagine giving 6.1 per for 8 years for a guy who can’t even average 60 games a year in his prime.

      Reply
    • Begamin

      3 weeks ago

      well he couldve likely snagged more than that from other teams so yes, its cheap. they legit only have two guys making 10MM a year and its Barkov and Bob

      4
      Reply
    • bigdaddyt

      3 weeks ago

      Could be cheap but also could see this becoming an anchor contract when he can’t take roids anymore and his body continues to fall apart.

      1
      Reply
    • robert87

      3 weeks ago

      He would of got 8×8 open market so yeah he took discounts

      3
      Reply
    • Johnny Z

      3 weeks ago

      20 game suspension gave him enough rest to be very good in the playoffs!

      Reply
    • baseballpun

      3 weeks ago

      He could only sign for 7 on the open market

      1
      Reply
    • Begamin

      3 weeks ago

      anyways, hes making less than Montour now so its fine. he couldve prob made 7×10 playing for the ducks with the cap rising soon

      1
      Reply
    • jdgoat

      3 weeks ago

      While that might be true, it is well below market value based on all accounts. Especially with the rising cap. It’s cheap

      2
      Reply
  4. Gbear

    3 weeks ago

    Two down, now to find some cheese for the Rat!

    3
    Reply
  5. Red Wings

    3 weeks ago

    Great signing! He took a huge discount to stay, looks like another cup!

    1
    Reply
  6. Carson69

    3 weeks ago

    They trade someone to keep Marchand

    Reply
    • Mmm

      3 weeks ago

      Nah, still gotta pay goalie and Mackie. I doubt marchand goes under 5 even if he loved fla.

      1
      Reply
  7. baseballpun

    3 weeks ago

    I’m guessing he wouldn’t have gotten $9m/year on a 7 year deal.

    1
    Reply
    • Mmm

      3 weeks ago

      Considering the cap situations of the ducks, blue jackets, Canadians, hurricanes I think he easily could.

      1
      Reply
    • baseballpun

      3 weeks ago

      Would’ve been a bad move to pay him that money through age 37

      Reply
    • bigdaddyt

      3 weeks ago

      Have you seen the Canadians blue line. No way would they spend all that cap on him when they have Dobson at 9.5 and Hutson gonna make bank plus Reinbacher and Gruhle

      2
      Reply
    • Mmm

      3 weeks ago

      Pre Dobson…? They’ve been negotiating…

      Reply
  8. SparkytheGoldenSeals

    3 weeks ago

    I have a feeling Florida’s bottom 6 forwards will look like a who’s who of the AHL this coming season.

    Reply
    • Jaxteller

      3 weeks ago

      Don’t know many that would consider Lundell and Luosty AHL caliber. And they’re certainly not stars but can ask EDM, TOR and others how much they liked going up against Gadjovich and crew.

      3
      Reply
    • Red Wings

      3 weeks ago

      No, they will have the same group coming back, Samo instead of Marchand

      Reply
    • Our cup runneth over

      3 weeks ago

      @ Sparky What an ignorant comment.

      2
      Reply
    • The Mistake of Giving Eugene Melnyk a Liver Transplant

      3 weeks ago

      Wow Sparky, you are just wrong about everything!

      Reply
    • Doghockey

      3 weeks ago

      The one category in which he annually leads the league. A recent gem of his is stating that the worst thing an NHL team can do is win. Unwrap that one.

      Reply
  9. Unclemike1526

    3 weeks ago

    With or without Marchand it still is basically the Cup winning team for the last 2 years. They should be the favorites until somebody figures out how to beat them.

    1
    Reply
    • Poppin' Balls

      3 weeks ago

      They may end up beating themselves, with almost 4 seasons played in the last 3 years.

      Reply
  10. jeremyn

    3 weeks ago

    its being reported Ekblad had “offers” (tampering) in the 10-12aav range…. he took 6 to stay a panther… that’s just nuts…. I’m old enough to remember Nathan Horton, Stephen Weiss, and Jay Bouwmeester literally quitting on the team and walking out… how did we get here… I feel like when the Heat traded for Shaq lol

    1
    Reply
  11. The Mistake of Giving Eugene Melnyk a Liver Transplant

    3 weeks ago

    VAMOS GATOS!!!

    1
    Reply
  12. Germond

    3 weeks ago

    Good for Ekblad but keep him away from the medicine cabinet.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.

Log in Register

    Top Stories

    Alex Ovechkin, Capitals Haven’t Had Extension Talks

    Blake Wheeler Reaffirms Retirement

    Jets Sign Gabriel Vilardi To Six-Year Contract

    Ducks Sign Drew Helleson To Two-Year Deal

    Jaroslav Halak Announces Retirement

    Maple Leafs Acquire Dakota Joshua From Canucks

    Ducks Sign Lukas Dostal To Five-Year Deal

    Blackhawks Re-Sign Louis Crevier On Two-Year Contract

    Blue Jackets’ Yegor Chinakhov Requests Trade

    NHL Releases Full Regular Season Schedule

    Recent

    Michal Svrcek Expected To Remain In The SHL

    Alex Ovechkin, Capitals Haven’t Had Extension Talks

    KHL Notes: Mandolese, Gettinger, Laferriere, Barron, Oligny, Edmonds

    Blake Wheeler Reaffirms Retirement

    Grigori Denisenko Linked To KHL

    Kings To Ramp Up Extension Talks With Adrian Kempe

    Maxime Lajoie Linked To KHL

    East Notes: Panarin, Senators, Prokhorov

    Canucks Have Had Discussions With Jack Roslovic

    Senators Re-Sign Xavier Bourgault

    Rumors By Team

    Rumors By Team

    • Avalanche Rumors
    • Blackhawks Rumors
    • Blue Jackets Rumors
    • Blues Rumors
    • Bruins Rumors
    • Canadiens Rumors
    • Canucks Rumors
    • Capitals Rumors
    • Devils Rumors
    • Ducks Rumors
    • Flames Rumors
    • Flyers Rumors
    • Golden Knights Rumors
    • Hurricanes Rumors
    • Islanders Rumors
    • Jets Rumors
    • Kings Rumors
    • Kraken Rumors
    • Lightning Rumors
    • Mammoth Rumors
    • Maple Leafs Rumors
    • Oilers Rumors
    • Panthers Rumors
    • Penguins Rumors
    • Predators Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Red Wings Rumors
    • Sabres Rumors
    • Senators Rumors
    • Sharks Rumors
    • Stars Rumors
    • Wild Rumors

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • 2025’s Top 50 Unrestricted Free Agents
    • Sam Bennett Rumors
    • Nikolaj Ehlers Rumors
    • Mitch Marner Rumors
    • Marco Rossi Rumors

    Pro Hockey Rumors Features

    Pro Hockey Rumors Features

    • Support Pro Hockey Rumors And Go Ad-Free
    • 2025 Free Agent Focus Series
    • 2025 Offseason Checklist Series
    • 2025 NHL Free Agent List
    • 2026 NHL Free Agent List
    • Active Roster Tracker
    • Coaching Staff Directory
    • Draft Pick Tracker 2025
    • Key Offseason Dates
    • Offseason Trade Tracker
    • Pro Hockey Rumors On X
    • Pro Hockey Rumors Polls
    • Waiver Claims 2024-25

     

     

     

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives

    PHR Info

    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Commenting Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    Pro Hockey Rumors is not affiliated with National Hockey League, NHL or NHL.com

    Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

    scroll to top

    Register

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version