Aaron Ekblad Inks Eight-Year Extension With Panthers

Aaron Ekblad Inks Eight-Year Extension With Panthers

Two down, one to go in the Bill Zito manifesto. Sam Bennett has already signed his eight-year ticket. Now it’s time for Aaron Ekblad to do the same.

The two sides have agreed to an eight-year extension that will carry an AAV of $6.1 million.

TSN’s Pierre LeBrun was the first to report the news:

Obviously, Ekblad probably could have earned a bit more on the open market. The no-state tax element and the additional eighth year definitely helped put this over the finish line. Interestingly enough, Ekblad actually will take a pay cut on this deal with Florida. His prior deal was at $7.5 million per season. He probably could have gotten that number or a tad more on the open market.

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I also wonder about the steroids element in all of this. Ekblad got hit with a suspension earlier this year, and I wonder if this helped bridge the gap. Rival teams may have been nervous about making a godfather offer in free agency, Ekblad couldn’t say no to given that factor.

At the end of the day, Ekblad was a man of his word. He wanted to stay and took a discount in order to make it happen. Now, all attention shifts to Brad Marchand. Will Florida find common ground with Marchand? Will he become the one who bolts in free agency? One thing to watch for is Evan Rodrigues. He could become the necessary salary dump that helps close the book on the last impending free agent.

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