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Aaron Ekblad Addresses Panthers Future After Winning Second Stanley Cup

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Jun 18, 2025 6:23 AM ET

The Florida Panthers just repeated as Stanley Cup champions with Aaron Ekblad again right in the middle of it, though perhaps not for much longer.

The veteran defenseman has spent his entire career with the franchise, helping shape its rise as a perennial contender and now back-to-back title winner.

Now, however, Ekblad is set to reach unrestricted free agency for the first time in his career come July 1, putting his future with the only franchise he's ever played for up in the air.

Ekblad, 29, was asked right after Tuesday’s Cup-clinching win about whether he’ll return, and while he made his feelings clear on wanting to return, he wasn't thinking about that yet.

Did Aaron Ekblad play his final home game in Florida?

"I sure hope not.... I don't know what's gonna happen, and I'm not in much control of that at the moment. To live in the moment is most important for me. When the time comes, I'm sure those tough conversations will be had."
— luke fox (@lukefoxjukebox) June 18, 2025

"I sure hope not (it's not Ekblad's final game with the Panthers)," Ekblad said. "Obviously, I don't know what's going to happen and I’m not much in control of that at the moment.

"To live in the moment right now is the most important [thing] for me, and when the time comes, I'm sure those tough conversations will be had."

The Panthers closed out the Final with a commanding 5–1 win over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 6, and Ekblad contributed 13 points through 19 postseason games through Tuesday's finale.

The blueliner served a 20-game suspension earlier this year and missed the start of the playoffs, but returned to strengthen Florida’s blue line during its third trip to the finals.

"I said it a few times – I might regret it later – but it almost feels normal," Ekblad said. "It’s where we’re meant to be. And we believe that as a team — we’re meant to be here, we’re gonna keep doing it."

"Excited for the future. I really hope it’s with this team."

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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