[FanIn80]

Marchand is next. He wants to stay and Zito wants to sign him.

Zito:

Discussions between the Panthers and their top pending unrestricted free agents, defenseman Aaron Ekblad and forward Brad Marchand, have been going on for some time. But with the NHL free agency period starting Tuesday at noon ET, the clock is ticking to get deals done.

On Saturday, Florida general manager Bill Zito did not rule out signing both players before Tuesday.

“I have an idea,” Zito said following the conclusion of the 2025 NHL Draft on Saturday afternoon. “If what I think isn’t accurate, and it might not be, OK. We have a Plan B and a Plan C. But my preference, and maybe I’m hoping, is that there’s enough for guys to want to stay and be part of this, be treated fairly and be happy. And that’s the most important thing.”

Marshy:

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

Panthers GM focused on Ekblad, Marchand deals ahead of free agency: https://www.nhl.com/news/panthers-gm...d-and-marchand