Panthers Re-sign Marchand, Ekblad, Bennett to Defend Stanley Cup

The Florida Panthers have successfully re-signed key players Brad Marchand, Aaron Ekblad, and Sam Bennett, securing their core as they aim for a third consecutive Stanley Cup championship. Marchand agreed to a six-year deal worth around $5.3 million annually, Ekblad signed an eight-year contract with an average annual value of $6.1 million, and Bennett signed an eight-year deal earlier, solidifying the team's roster through at least 2030. These deals, completed before the NHL free agency period began, involved team-friendly salaries, allowing the Panthers to overcome salary cap challenges. General Manager Bill Zito was praised for orchestrating these signings, which many experts doubted possible, highlighting his ability to keep the championship roster intact. With this core locked in, the Panthers are widely considered the favorites for the 2025-26 Stanley Cup season. Their success in retaining these stars has sent a strong message to the NHL, signaling their intent to continue dominating the league.