Matthew Tkachuk's message to free agents may irk Panthers GM

Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk. John E. Sokolowski

Matthew Tkachuk's message to free-agent teammates won't please Panthers GM

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Jun 20, 2025 5:00 PM ET

The Florida Panthers just lifted their second straight Stanley Cup — but their offseason is already a minefield with three members of their core set to enter unrestricted free agency on July 1, barring contract extensions before that date.

Those players are defenseman Aaron Ekblad as well as forwards Brad Marchand and Conn Smythe winner Sam Bennett.

As if Panthers general manager Bill Zito didn't have a tough enough summer ahead, Florida star Matthew Tkachuk isn’t making it easier for the franchise's honcho.

"Billy, probably can't stand me because I’m the guy that tells those guys, like, 'You better make as much as you possibly can, whether that's here or somewhere else,'" Tkachuk said. "I'm a big believer, like, I'm an all-player guy.

"You better go out there and get that Brinks truck backed up right in your front yard."

Tkachuk thinks the Panthers free agents are going to get PAID. pic.twitter.com/V5qqLC3nmd
— BarDown (@BarDown) June 18, 2025

Tkachuk wasn’t shy about encouraging his teammates to maximize their value, even if that comes at Florida’s expense.

Bennett and Marchand were both pivotal in the Panthers’ title run, scoring 22 and 20 points in the playoffs, respectively.

It's fair to say Marchand has turned into one of the best trade-deadline pickups in recent memory, while Bennett capped off a strong postseason with a four-goal Game 6 on his way to winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as the MVP of the playoffs.

For what it's worth, and to ease Tkachuk's possible anxiety about losing any of his teammates to bigger offers, Zito confirmed on Wednesday that Florida intends to spend to the cap and try to bring everybody back.

"We’re going to spend to the cap," Zito said. "The Viola family ownership has empowered us to try to do everything we can to have the best team we can. So we’re going to spend it all."

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

More must-reads: