It’s time for another round of NHL rumours. We’re in the middle of the Stanley Cup Final. However, there will always be chatter surrounding rosters. The Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers are duking it out for the title. However, general managers are already thinking about how to keep their rosters together. It’s going to be hard to keep the band together, but executives will do all they can.
This edition of NHL rumours talks about the Panthers and a pair of roster pieces that will be unrestricted free agents at the end of the season.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Update on a Pair of Florida Panthers Players
Rumour: David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period offered updates on a pair of Florida players on a recent appearance on NHL Network. Pagnotta talked about the future surrounding forward Sam Bennett and defenceman Aaron Ekblad.
Analysis: Panthers General Manager Bill Zito has been pretty adept at keeping most of the core pieces in place. There have been some departures like Brandon Montour to the Seattle Kraken. However, most key players have decided to stay down in South Florida. A combination of factors makes it easier for them to stay. However, Zito should be lauded for his work at constructed a championship roster.
Two of these pivotal players are Bennett and Ekblad. Both have made significant contributions to the roster, but both are UFAs at the end of the season. Coming up with the money to keep both could be downright impossible.
Pagnotta reports that Bennett is likely to be staying put in Sunrise. The insider reports a possible deal of eight years and $8 million per season as an annual cap hit.
Things might not be as rosy in terms of retaining Ekblad. Pagnotta said that the Panthers want the former top overall pick of the 2014 NHL Draft to take less than his current $7.5 million per season. Florida’s management wants something around the $6 million range for Ekblad.
What It Means
A deal of $8 million per season for Bennett could be a bargain. Bennett does a lot of things well, but he’s really brought the offence this post-season. The Ontario native leads the league in goals with 14 throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Keeping Bennett seems to be high on Zito’s priority list.
The $8 million salary does stretch further in Florida with no state tax. However, the deal does seem like a bit of a steal at that cap number.
Ekblad seems likely to test the free agent market on July 1. The veteran defenceman is finishing up the last year of his current and deal and it doesn’t seem like he’ll back. One can’t blame Ekblad for wanting to get paid what he feels that he’s worth. However, the Panthers might be able to use the money to fill other holes.
Losing a longtime roster fixture will be hard, but even Zito hasn’t been able tor retain everyone. However, Zito has been pretty good at plugging holes and don’t be surprised if he finds a way to replace Ekblad. It’ll still be odd to see the veteran defender in a different sweater next season barring a significant change.
Main photo by: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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