June 30, 2025 | 1:20am ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

EKBLAD SET TO HIT THE FREE AGENT MARKET?

Aaron Ekblad, defenceman

As the Florida Panthers continue contract negotiations with forward Brad Marchand after getting Conn Smythe Trophy winner Sam Bennett inked to an eight-year contract, it appears star defenceman Aaron Ekblad may be heading to the open market.

While talks between the Panthers and Ekblad’s camp remain ongoing, it appears likely that the blueliner will test the waters as an unrestricted free agent on Tuesday.

The 29-year-old picked up three goals and added 30 assists for 33 points in 56 games with the Panthers this past season, helping them capture their second-straight Stanley Cup championship.

Several teams are expected to pursue Ekblad if he becomes a UFA this week, including the Dallas Stars, Toronto Maple Leafs, Carolina Hurricanes, Detroit Red Wings and Ottawa Senators, among others.

Ekblad, drafted first-overall in 2014 by the Panthers, ranks among the players on the TFP Top UFAs List.

The Panthers have been trying to get Ekblad signed to a deal worth somewhere in the $6 million to $7 million range, annually, after bringing in an AAV of $7.5 million on his last contract. Reports suggest he can command at least $8 million per year on a new long-term contract elsewhere.