Overview

• Marchand confirmed he signed a six‑year, $31.5 million extension with the Panthers at a $5.25 million annual cap hit.
• He said his insistence on long‑term security — declining one‑, two‑ or three‑year deals — was the main reason contract talks with the Bruins collapsed.
• Florida also retained Sam Bennett and Aaron Ekblad on eight‑year deals, with the trio’s contracts totaling about $144.3 million.
• He said the state’s lack of income tax likely prevented two of the three from leaving in free agency, calling it a real advantage the team leveraged.
• Acquired at the deadline from Boston, Marchand posted 20 playoff points during Florida’s repeat Stanley Cup run and says he plans to play as long as possible.