[Signing] Panthers re-signing Ekblad (8 yrs, $6.1m AAV)

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by Geeoff

Unless there are significant CBA changes, no one really ever faces consequences for term, so this has gotta be one of the best bargain contracts in the league. Legit top pairing defenseman for pretty much what we paid Bahl

Term is going down to 7/6. It would be in the players best interest as well to have the team shorter so they get more money.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

I bet he only plays 5-6 years of this deal, but still fantastic AAV none the less.

Keeps the core in place for a looong time. Now to see what happens with Marchand. I'm less inclined to believe he will sign with the Panthers, but who knows.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Wolven

Currently making $7.5M and is going to not only turn down a huge raise but not even maintain his current salary???!??

I'm guessing the Panthers offered to pick up the tab on his 'Nutritional Supplements.'

[agulati]

Wow. Great price for him.

[dissentowner]

F all these southern warm weather teams and rheir desirability

[FlamesAreOne]

Originally Posted by memphusk

That's a great deal for Florida. Winning works it's magic again.

Something else may have been a small factor too...

[devo22]

Originally Posted by getbak

No, once a player is a UFA, he can only sign a max 7-year deal even with his old team. Once midnight tonight hits, he wouldn't have been able to sign an 8-year with Florida either.

yeah, would have had to go down tonight. That's how I interpreted McKenzies tweet, because that's the only way he could have gotten 8 x 9.

[Mr.Coffee]

Sam and Brad owe Aaron dinner for the next 8 years

[Geeoff]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

Term is going down to 7/6. It would be in the players best interest as well to have the team shorter so they get more money.

I expect that Ekblad will be on LTIR by the time this contract reaches year 7 and 8 and not really in line for a raise

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

F all these southern warm weather teams and rheir desirability

Flames just need to be good. Florida used to struggle to attract good players.

[gvitaly]

The rich get richer, great deal for FLA.

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by devo22

probably a sign and trade to get the 8th year.

Regardless, even 7 years open market >> 8 yrs @6.1

[Locke]

If they're going for another run they should bring back Jagr.

[The Yen Man]

Yikes, he makes less than $1M more than Bahl lol. Not saying Bahl's a bad deal, just what a bargain this deal is.

[Saqe]

I will say that the injuries with Ekblad are a real concern. If they can get five good years out of him I'd consider it a win.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

I bet he only plays 5-6 years of this deal, but still fantastic AAV none the less.

Keeps the core in place for a looong time. Now to see what happens with Marchand. I'm less inclined to believe he will sign with the Panthers, but who knows.

Marchand is chasing the bag. He was badly underpaid on his last contract. If the Panthers don’t offer 3 x 8, someone else will. And he’ll take it.

[Groot]

Originally Posted by Saqe

That's a pretty decent priced Stanley Cup winner top pairing with Forsling making 5.75 and Ekblad 6.1.

Sure, Ekblad and Forsling at a combined $11.85M AAV is nice and all, but how about a Nurse-Bouchard combo at a mere $20M?

I love that McDavid has to look at this Florida core locked up for his prime years remaining. He sees Barkov, Tkachuk, Bennett, Reinhart, Verhaege, Lundell, Ekblad, Jones and Forsling locked up as that core until 2030.

Then he looks down the desolate future that is an Oilers core of Draisatl, Nugent-Hopkins, Hyman, Frederic, Bouchard and Nurse until 2030.

If Bowman can convince McDavid there is a path to winning in Edmonton he's the greatest salesmen of all-time combined with McDavid having the foresight of a newborn baby

[FanSince'01]

Injury history aside, that's an insane deal for him.

If they can re-up Marchand as well we may be talking about more than a three-peat here...

[The Yen Man]

Crazy how Bouchard can potentially make the same as Ekblad / Forsling combined.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Marchand is chasing the bag. He was badly underpaid on his last contract. If the Panthers don’t offer 3 x 8, someone else will. And he’ll take it.

Yeah, and I'm fine with that. He earned it. I'm not expecting him to stick around.