Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

NHL Insider Accuses Florida Panthers of Breaking Major NHL Rule With Brad Marchand Contract

Originally posted on House of Hockey | By Tom Banks | Last updated Jul 8, 2025 7:12 PM ET

Cap circumvention has been a huge story in the NHL in recent times, and now, Insider David Alter has called out the league for allowing it again with Brad Marchand and the Florida Panthers.

The Florida Panthers came into the off-season needing to sign three big time free agents, and while many expected at least one of Aaron Ekblad, Brad Marchand and Sam Bennett to depart, all three were signed to long-term deals.

In their late 20's, those deals made sense for Ekblad and Bennett, but Marchand has recently turned 37, so when he signed a deal that took him until he would be 43 years of age, it certainly raised some eyebrows around the NHL.

Not only have opposing fans hated the deal, but analysts have looked into it as well, with David Alter comparing it to the 15-year deal that was once signed by Ilya Kovalchuk of the New Jersey Devils.

I still can't believe the NHL allowed this deal to go through. Yes it's within the rules. But the Ilya Kovalchuk 15 year $100 million deal was also within the rules until the NHL said enough was enough and didn't allow it.

This all occurs around the time the NHL have stated they are looking to crack down on cap circumvention, with Alter later stating that for all intents and purposes, that's exactly what this situation is.

'It is kind of sketchy. I'd be surprised, or may I shouldn't be surprised, if the NHL allows it this looks like pure cap circumvention... doesn't look like anything is going to be done about it.'

At the end of the day, it's highly unlikely the NHL will look into this, but in the history of the league, very few forwards have played until they are 43-years of age, and with Marchand unlikely to buck that trend, analysts and insiders are starting to call out the deal for exactly what it is.

This article first appeared on House of Hockey and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: