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Panthers GM Makes His ‘Preference’ in Brad Marchand-Aaron Ekblad Situation Clear

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Jun 30, 2025 10:28 AM ET

After signing Sam Bennett to a long-term deal, Florida Panthers general manager Bill Zito must turn his attention to fellow pending free agents Brad Marchand and Aaron Ekblad.

Both are set to become unrestricted free agents on July 1, and Zito made clear over the weekend that he hopes to keep the two in Florida.

"I have an idea (on how to manage the situation). If what I think isn’t accurate, and it might not be, we have a Plan B and a Plan C. We have a Plan B and a Plan C," Zito said Saturday. "But my preference, and maybe I’m hoping, is that there’s enough for guys to want to stay, to be part of this, be treated fairly and be happy.

"And that’s the most important thing."

Zito on trying to keep Ekblad and Marchand in addition to Bennett:

"My preference - and maybe I'm hoping - is that there's enough for guys to want to stay to be a part of this and be treated fairly and be happy. That's the most important thing."
— Jameson Olive (@JamesonCoop) June 28, 2025

Zito already secured Bennett on an eight-year, $64 million extension. That move has complicated Florida’s cap outlook, leaving only $11 million in the Panthers' cap room.

Marchand and Ekblad each just completed the final season of their respective eight-year contracts—Marchand’s worth $49 million, Ekblad’s worth $60 million.

Both pending free agents have expressed their desire to stay in Sunrise.

“These are the best few months I have ever had in my career,” Marchand said. “It’s an incredible group down here. I’ve loved every second of it, and hopefully it can continue.”

“I’ve spent 11 years here, and that’s more than I’ve spent in any home or city in my life. So it’s home, and I expect it to be home,” Ekblad said.

According to Daily Faceoff, Marchand is projected to sign a two-year deal with a $5.1 million cap hit, and Ekblad could demand a seven-year, $7.8 million-per-season contract.

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

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