Overview

• Florida re-signed forwards Brad Marchand and Sam Bennett plus defenseman Aaron Ekblad to multi-year deals, locking in the nucleus of its back-to-back Stanley Cup winners.
• Carter Verhaeghe said “Don’t jinx it. No, that’s the play” on Good Morning America when asked about a third straight title, signaling the team’s cautious optimism.
• Aaron Ekblad agreed to a six-year, $48.8 million extension and said the Panthers still have a long window to compete for more championships.
• Insider reports from Elliotte Friedman indicate Matthew Tkachuk will miss time before the 2026 Olympics due to a hernia, prompting Florida to monitor his recovery.
• Brad Marchand’s history of missed games and his recent six-year, $31.5 million contract raise questions about veteran durability as the Panthers manage player load over 100-plus games.