Blue Jackets Predicted to Land Panthers Star in Free Agency
Blue Jackets Predicted to Land Panthers Star in Free Agency originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
As the Florida Panthers enter the offseason, the team could be looking at some tough decisions to retain some players. Florida has a few key players entering free agency, and it could see the roster look a little different next year.
Advertisement
The two-time Stanley Cup champions will have a lot of competition to retain players this summer. Players such as center Sam Bennett, forward Brad Marchand, and defenseman Aaron Ekblad are all entering free agency this offseason.
Bennett has been reported to be staying; in all likelihood, Marchand remains a wild-card, and Ekblad could be the lone man out. Florida may only be able to keep two of the three players, opening the door for opposing teams.
Ekblad has been solid for the Panthers, but there have been rumors that Florida may allow him to test the open market. And there could be some teams that jump on that opportunity.
NHL insider Aaron Portzline of The Athletic linked the Columbus Blue Jackets with Ekblad in free agency.
Advertisement
"The Blue Jackets want to bolster their blue line, and the right side needs the most help. Ekblad would be a perfect fit, whether he pairs with Werenski on the top pair or with youngster Denton Mateychuk on the second pair. The right side has been a sore spot since Seth Jones was traded to Chicago, but Ekblad could help give the Jackets two major minute-munchers, one on each side," Portzline wrote.
Florida Panthers forward Brad Marchand (63) celebrates scoring wtih defenseman Aaron Ekblad (5) during the first period against the Edmonton Oilers in game five of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Rogers...Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
Adding a player like Ekblad to this Blue Jackets group could help them get back to the postseason. Columbus battled all year long but fell just short of reaching the playoffs.
Ekblad was key for the Panthers during the playoffs, scoring four goals and nine assists over 19 games. The veteran defenseman would bring plenty of playoff experience to Columbus and could be one of the missing pieces to this Blue Jackets team.
Advertisement
Related: Connor McDavid Sends Direct Message to Oilers Fans After Stanley Cup Loss
Related: Oilers' Connor McDavid Turns Heads With Future Comments
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
36 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Panthers' Brad Marchand goes on IG trolling spree after Stanley Cup Final
The post Panthers' Brad Marchand goes on IG trolling spree after Stanley Cup Final appeared first on ClutchPoints. Brad Marchand, center of the Florida Panthers, didn't waste any time stirring things up after clinching the Stanley Cup. Just hours after the Panthers celebrated their second straight championship, the seasoned forward jumped on Instagram, sharing a series of stories that playfully mocked the teams that let go of players who contributed to the Panthers' triumph. He tagged and thanked 18 organizations for 'giving away' key pieces of the championship puzzle, from former superstars to those unsung heroes. Advertisement In his posts, Marchand highlighted some key acquisitions, like Matthew Tkachuk (Calgary), Sam Reinhart (Buffalo), Carter Verhaeghe (Tampa Bay), and Gustav Forsling (Carolina). Each slide featured a photo of the player along with a cheeky shout-out to their former team. He didn't forget to give a nod to the Panthers' management, thanking Winnipeg for parting ways with head coach Paul Maurice and Columbus for letting go of former executive Bill Zito. The New Jersey Devils were among Marchand's favorite targets. The Panthers currently boast several former Devils, including Vitek Vanecek, Tomas Nosek, and Jesper Boqvist, all of whom played crucial roles in the playoffs. Marchand even shared a group photo of them with a sarcastic jab aimed at New Jersey, whose roster decisions now seem even more regrettable in hindsight. After being picked up from Boston during the 2025 trade deadline, Marchand wasted no time making an impact in South Florida. He netted 10 goals and racked up 20 points in just 23 playoff games, with an impressive six of those goals scored in the Stanley Cup Final alone. His stellar performance has firmly established him as one of the most remarkable rental acquisitions in recent memory, highlighting the Panthers' bold trade strategy. Now a two-time Stanley Cup champion, Marchand is getting ready to dive into unrestricted free agency this summer. While it's uncertain what the future holds for him in Florida, his postseason achievements and off-ice personality have already left a significant mark on this Panthers' journey, as well as on the teams that parted ways with their now-celebrated players. Related: Panthers' Sam Bennett goes full Wolf of Wall Street on future Related: Ron DeSantis suggests 'executive order' after another Panthers Stanley Cup win
Yahoo
39 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Panthers' Brad Marchand drops NSFW reaction to Maple Leafs speculation
The post Panthers' Brad Marchand drops NSFW reaction to Maple Leafs speculation appeared first on ClutchPoints. Florida Panthers left wing Brad Marchand is stirring up quite a buzz about a potential move to the Toronto Maple Leafs as free agency looms. The seasoned winger added some fuel to the fire with a mysterious comment on Instagram that quickly grabbed the attention of fans and media. Advertisement In response to a post quoting insider Nick Kypreos' assertion that a Maple Leafs signing was on the horizon, Marchand cheekily replied, 'S**t dawg… the people wanna see it???' Kypreos, during his segment on 'Leafs Morning Take,' expressed, 'I don't know how he doesn't end up as a Maple Leaf,' highlighting both Toronto's financial advantages and Marchand's previous underpaid stint with Boston. With over $25 million in projected cap space, the Leafs are among the few teams that could offer the 37-year-old a lucrative contract along with significant marketability. But it's not just about the money; Toronto's management has hinted at a shift in their approach. General Manager Brad Treliving recently mentioned that the team needs to alter its 'DNA,' emphasizing the importance of playoff poise and leadership — traits that Marchand has consistently showcased throughout his career. 'There's some DNA that has to change on our team,' Treliving noted. Advertisement Marchand's value is obvious. He was instrumental in the Florida Panthers' remarkable back-to-back journey to the Stanley Cup this spring, netting 10 goals and accumulating 20 points across 23 playoff games. Out of those goals, six came during the Stanley Cup Final, highlighting his knack for stepping up when the pressure is on. Overall, he boasts 158 points in 180 career playoff games. Adding a personal touch to the speculation, Marchand has shared his connections to Toronto. After knocking the Maple Leafs out in the second round this year — marking his fifth Game 7 victory over them — he confessed, 'I grew up a Leafs fan… I enjoy interacting with fans. It's fun. I love getting made fun of and I love making fun of people.' This bond, combined with Toronto's available cap space and their quest for grit and experience, keeps the rumors buzzing as July 1 approaches. Related: Aaron Ekblad drops truth bomb on potential future with Panthers Related: Panthers' Brad Marchand goes on IG trolling spree after Stanley Cup Final
Yahoo
41 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Aaron Ekblad drops truth bomb on potential future with Panthers
The post Aaron Ekblad drops truth bomb on potential future with Panthers appeared first on ClutchPoints. Florida Panthers general manager Bill Zito is facing a problem this summer that probably every NHL executive would love to have — none of his unrestricted free agents want to leave. Advertisement After capturing a second consecutive Stanley Cup championship — and celebrating accordingly — all of Aaron Ekblad, Sam Bennett and Brad Marchand have made it clear they'd love to re-sign in Sunrise. Although there's only so much money to go around, it makes sense that the trio, who were all instrumental in Florida's title run, would want to stick around for the long haul. That includes Ekblad, who has been a heart and soul player for Florida since being selected first overall by the franchise in the 2014 NHL Draft. He's the leader in games played and points scored by a defenceman in Panthers franchise history. 'Conversations have been had,' Ekblad said on Saturday regarding contract extension talks, per team reporter Jameson Olive. 'Obviously, nothing material yet, but they'll be working on it. Things seem to come down to the last minute here.' Advertisement The 29-year-old added: 'I've spent 11 years here. … It's home, and I expect it to be home.' Panthers' Bill Zito has his work cut out for him this summer As of Saturday, the Panthers have $19 million in cap space to work with, per Puck Pedia. Ekblad, Bennett and Marchand are all pending unrestricted free agents on July 1, but they aren't the only ones. Tomas Nosek, Nico Sturm, Mackie Samoskevich, Jaycob Megna, Nate Schmidt and Vitek Vanecek also need new contracts before next season. Obviously, at least a couple of those players will be going to market on July 1. Ekblad played some of his best hockey of the season in the playoffs, and there have been rumblings that he will command upwards of $7.5 million AAV on his next deal. It's a similar story for Bennett, who led the postseason in scoring and earned the Conn Smythe Trophy for his efforts. Advertisement Marchand was also excellent during the run, scoring 10 goals and 20 points — including six tallies in six games against the Edmonton Oilers in the Stanley Cup Final. Something is going to have to give; either a few of Florida's star players take team-friendly discounts, or potentially one or more of them hits the open market. It's certainly going to be interesting to see how the next few weeks shake out, but based on the raucous celebrations, it's clear that none of Ekblad, Bennett or Marchand are thinking too hard about a new contract at the present moment. Still, that time is coming soon, and if Zito can somehow find a way to get all three locked up, he will continue cementing his status as the best general manager in hockey. Related: Panthers' Aleksander Barkov's 6-word message after Stanley Cup victory will spook rest of NHL Related: Panthers' Brad Marchand drops NSFW reaction to Maple Leafs speculation
