June 23, 2025 | 11:15pm ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

PANTHERS WORKING ON BENNETT, MARCHAND DEALS

Sam Bennett & Brad Marchand, forwards

Like every NHL team, the Florida Panthers will see some roster changes this summer before the puck drops on the 2025-26 season.

How much changes for the back-to-back Stanley Cup champs is unclear, though.

Forwards Sam Bennett, Brad Marchand, Tomas Nosek and Nico Sturm, defencemen Aaron Ekblad, Nate Schmidt and Jaycob Megna, and goaltender Vitek Vanecek are all eligible to become unrestricted free agents July 1, while forward Mackie Samoskevich can become a restricted free agent.

With $19 million in salary cap space, changes are inevitable – but Panthers GM Bill Zito is hoping to minimize the damage.

As TFP’s David Pagnotta has reported for weeks, there is a heightened sense that Bennett will be returning. The two sides discussed an eight-year agreement going into the playoffs and recently resumed negotiations.

According to Pagnotta, Bennett’s new deal will hover around $8 million per season.

In addition to Bennett, the Panthers are also hopeful that Marchand sticks around and there appears to be a pathway to a deal there, as well.

While there is much more negotiating to be done on Marchand’s next deal, there is a growing belief that he may stay on a multi-year deal worth somewhere in the $5 million to $6 million AAV range.

“Nothing is done until it’s done, obviously, but it would not be a surprise if Marchand stuck around after Bennett’s deal gets ironed out,” Pagnotta said on Monday.

If, however, talks fall apart and Marchand explores alternative options, he will have the pick of the Cup contending litter, as clubs like Toronto, Los Angeles, Washington, Carolina, Vegas and others will pursue him.