Aaron Ekblad (Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/33047d1a-3466-4905-9c15-432c08bcd709.jpeg] Aaron Ekblad (Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images) Florida Panthers GM Bill Zito did what no one thought he could, which was re-signing his big-name pending UFAs, but that doesn't mean there weren't other teams prepared to snatch them up if they became available. Sam Bennett and Brad Marchand drew a lot of attention due to their outstanding playoff performances, but they ultimately returned on long-term deals. Aaron Ekblad's [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/players/aaron-ekblad-should-be-the-last-florida-panthers-player-to-wear-no-5] name wasn't mentioned as much as Bennett's and Marchand's were, but according to James Mirtle, teams were lined up to take a run at Ekblad, and the Detroit Red Wings [http://thn.com/detroit] may have had the best offer. "Ekblad, in particular, could have signed for a much thicker average annual value in Michigan than the $6.1 million he took with Florida," said Mirtle in The Athletic mailbag [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6549703/2025/08/14/nhl-salary-cap-parity-red-wings-blackhawks/]. Ekblad, both prior to signing the extension and after, was adamant that there was no place he wanted to play besides Florida. The success and culture the Panthers have built have allowed them to sign players well under their market value. “It’s part of who I am at this point,” Ekblad said of being a member of the Panthers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/players/it-s-part-of-who-i-am-negotiations-ongoing-between-aaron-ekblad-panthers-as-defenseman-reiterates-desire-to-stay]. “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.”
