Latest news with #AaronEkblad
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
A trade rumor indicates that NHL free agency 2025 is set for a wild ride with $10M deals, surprise offer sheets, and Aaron Ekblad buzz
Aaron Ekblad #5 of the Florida Panthers celebrates with the Stanley Cup (Credit: Getty Images) The 2025 NHL free agency market is expected to heat up quickly, thanks to a sharp increase in the salary cap and limited top-tier talent available. With this combination, multiple players could likely secure contracts north of the $10 million average annual value. Mitch Marner remains the most obvious candidate to land the league's richest deal, as teams line up to lure the star winger away from Toronto if an extension doesn't materialize. Aaron Ekblad to Buffalo Sabres is gaining serious traction One of the boldest free agency predictions centers around Aaron Ekblad potentially leaving Florida and signing with the Buffalo Sabres. The Sabres have a strong young core, but after years of playoff absence and growing pressure internally and externally, they may be ready to make a serious move. With over $23 million in cap space and the need for a right-shot defenseman to pair with Owen Power, Buffalo could offer Ekblad a $10 million deal that not only boosts their blue line but also signals a shift in franchise expectations. Aaron Ekblad | Journey to the NHL Mavrik Bourque and Will Cuylle could sign offer sheets Offer sheets are rare in the NHL, but this summer might buck the trend. While names like Matthew Knies and Marco Rossi have drawn attention, teams may take a different route. Dallas Stars forward Mavrik Bourque is a prime target. The second offer sheet prediction involves New York Rangers forward Will Cuylle. His power-forward style and 20-goal season make him an attractive piece. At 6-foot-3 and over 215 pounds, Cuylle brings the physicality and production that teams want in a playoff run. Read more: NHL trade news: Edmonton Oilers offer max-term deal to Trent Frederic just hours after Stanley Cup loss As NHL free agency draws closer, fans and front offices alike should prepare for surprises. The rising cap, thin top-end talent, and aggressive market conditions are setting the stage for one of the most volatile and high-stakes offseasons in years. Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
6-Time All-Star Seen With Panthers Following Stanley Cup Win
6-Time All-Star Seen With Panthers Following Stanley Cup Win originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Florida Panthers won their second straight Stanley Cup title on Tuesday, taking down the Edmonton Oilers once again. Florida won the series in six games this time around and closed out the final game in a much more dominant fashion. Advertisement After dropping Game 4 to the Oilers, Florida outscored the Oilers 10-3 over the final two games. It was a complete beatdown from the Panthers, and they completely earned the right to call themselves champions once again. But after the celebration, the Panthers were seen hanging around with a familiar face. Six-time MLB All-Star JD Martinez was seen taking a break from his day-to-day activities and poised for a photo with the champions. Martinez is from Miami, so he is likely a fan of the team. But this is a cool moment for all involved, and Martinez got to celebrate with the players. The veteran slugger is currently a free agent, so he has plenty of time to do things like this. But the Panthers clearly didn't mind him stopping by, and the group got to celebrate together. The Florida Panthers pose for a photo with the Stanley Cup after winning game six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena. Sam Navarro-Imagn Images Florida will now enter the offseason with a three-peat in mind. The team does have a few key players entering free agency, including Brad Marchand, Sam Bennett, and Aaron Ekblad. Advertisement If they can retain most of them, the team could have a strong chance to win the title again next year. But as things currently stand, Florida may only be able to keep one of the players; however, stranger things have happened in free agency. Related: Panthers May Have Dented Stanley Cup After Win Over Oilers Related: Maple Leafs Interested in Rival All-Star Amid Mitch Marner Uncertainty This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 18, 2025, where it first appeared.
CTV News
2 days ago
- Sport
- CTV News
Windsorite Aaron Ekblad wins Stanley Cup as Edmonton Oilers fail to get over the hump
Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad raises the Stanley Cup trophy after defeating the Edmonton Oilers, Monday, June 24, 2024, in Sunrise, Fla. The Panthers defeated the Oilers 2-1. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) Wednesday's grey skies matched the mood of many Canadian hockey fans after hockey's holy grail was won and will stay in Florida. The Panthers beat the Edmonton Oilers 5-1 to claim the Stanley Cup in six games. 'I was pretty upset about the loss, but I was very happy with his (Florida defenceman and Windsorite Aaron Ekblad) individual success and he's making Windsor proud.' Ekblad is a Stanley Cup champion for the second straight year. He told CTV News his brother couldn't be in Florida for Game 7 last June so winning with his brother in attendance was special. 'He's a special human and a special person and just to have him there was a pretty awesome for me,' he said. Florida head coach and former Windsor Spitfire Paul Maurice thought his veterans allowing the first-year guys to skate with the cup after captain Alexander Barkov was awesome. 'The awareness of each other. All those guys who touched it first, it was their first cup. So, that's what makes these men special.' Maurice said after the game. Ekblad received the cup from Dmitri Kulikov, in what he describes as a special moment. 'An awesome father. awesome friend, teammate, just somebody I really respect,' said Ekblad. Florida became the third team in the salary cap era to repeat as champs following Tampa Bay in 2020-21 and Pittsburgh in 2016-17. 'Probably one of the hardest things or the hardest trophy in sports to win so winning it once is an incredible achievement, but winning it twice and back-to-back, it's almost impossible,' said Tom Khunhackl, a former Windsor Spitfire. Khunhackl won back-to-back with the Penguins and relived his experience while watching Tuesday's cup clincher. 'Fortunate enough to be in an organization with the Pittsburgh Penguins and then winning the Stanley Cup back-to-back is something you obviously never forget, and I still think about it thinking it's a dream,' he said. Florida forward Matthew Tkachuk feels the Panthers are a dynasty, having made it to three straight cup finals. Edmonton has now made two straight appearances, without a win, but former Oiler Zack Kassian doesn't feel Edmonton's window of opportunity has closed. 'Obviously there's a lot of hard work and a long road ahead, but if there's a team that can do it, Edmonton is one of them and I don't think it's too farfetched, because if you look at the Florida Panthers, they just did it,' Kassian said. While it's too early to talk about bringing the Stanley Cup back here to Essex County, Lakeshore Mayor Tracy Bailey does say that she looks forward to speaking to the Ekblad family to perhaps make that happen in Lakeshore a second year in a row.
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
How the Panthers built — then maintained — a Stanley Cup champion roster
Every season's a remix, even for Stanley Cup champions who want to go back, jack, do it again. The wheel turns 'round and 'round as players chase more money in free agency, more time doing something else with retirement, get injured or suspended. The Panthers repeated as Stanley Cup champions by keeping their roster core, then finding the proper side dishes to mesh with that main course entree. And, here's how Chef Bill Zito, Panthers general manager, cooked up another Stanley Cup-winning roster. 3: Seth Jones, D. The Panthers traded for the 6-4, multitalented defenseman and got a fourth-round draft pick from Chicago for backup goalie Spencer Knight and a 2026 conditional first round pick on March 1. This filled a spot vacated by Aaron Ekblad's suspension and, when Ekblad returned, put Jones with 6-6 Niko Mikkola to give the Panthers a huge second defense pair. 5: Aaron Ekblad, D. Drafted No. 1 overall in the 2014 NHL Draft — the year after the Panthers took Aleksander Barkov and left Jones on the board — and the NHL's Calder Trophy (Rookie of the Year) the ensuing season, Ekblad's the Panthers career leader in defenseman scoring. At 6-4 with great mobility and good puck skills, he's the epitome of what NHL teams want in a No. 1 defenseman. He and Gustav Forsling match against opponents' top lines. He served a 20-game suspension after testing positive for performance-enhancing substances. 7: Dmitri Kulikov, D. Kulikov returned to the Panthers as a free agent after last year's Cup run. He came right back to where he started when the Panthers signed him as a free agent on July 1, 2023. After being the Panthers 2009 first-round draft pick, Kulikov spent his first seven seasons here before being traded to Buffalo in 2016. 8: Nico Sturm, C: The Panthers got a Sturm and 2027 seventh-round pick for a 2026 fourth-round pick on Mar. 6. Sturm played in 62 regular-season games and eight playoff games. 9: Sam Bennett, C. The Panthers traded for Bennett and a sixth-round 2022 draft pick from Calgary on April 12, 2021, for prospect Emil Heineman and a 2022 draft pick. His 13 road playoff goals this season is an NHL record. Bennett, this year's Conn Smythe winner as playoff MVP, infuriates opponents with his borderline legal physicality and the soft hands that can make a goalie look oafish on a breakaway. 10: A.J. Greer, LW/RW. Greer, a part of a energetic, muscular fourth line, signed as a free agent on July 1, 2024. READ MORE: Why the Panthers made sure first-time Cup winners got to celebrate first 12: Jonah Gadjovich, LW/RW. After signing with the Panthers as a free agent on Oct. 16, 2023, Gadjovich dressed for 39 games last season and 42 games this season. With Greer, the Panthers have two 6-3 wings on the fourth line. 13: Sam Reinhart, RW. The Panthers got Reinhart from Buffalo on July 24, 2021, for goalie prospect Devon Levi and a first-round 2022 draft pick. With the Panthers, Reinhart put up two 30-goal seasons, a 57-goal, 94-point season last season and 39 goals and 81 points this season. 15: Anton Lundell, C. The Panthers took Lundell in the first round, 12th overall, of the 2020 NHL Draft. Lundell's a two-way center on the third line with Eetu Luostarinen and Brad Marchand that gave the Panthers unmatched depth throughout the playoffs and also provided the Panthers a line responsible enough they could put against opposing No. 1 lines. 16: Aleksander Barkov, C. The Panthers took Barkov instead of Seth Jones No. 2 overall in the 2013 NHL Draft. After three Selke Trophies (best defensive forward), one Lady Byng Award (combining great and gentlemanly play), one King Clancy Award (leadership, community contributions), the franchise's leading scorer, team captain and one of the game's best all-around players, it's safe to say 'Smart choice.' 17: Evan Rodrigues, RW. Signed as a free agent on July 2, 2023. Rodrigues can play on the first, second or third line and works on the second power-play unit. He put up 15 goals and 17 assists and was a minus-four in 82 games this regular season, but had two goals and 13 assists and was a plus-three in 21 playoff games, usually on a line with Bennett and Matthew Tkachuk. 19: Matthew Tkachuk, LW. After having the NHL's best record in 2021-22, but losing in the second round, the Panthers wanted to add thump and attitude for the playoffs without sacrificing offense. So, on July 22, 2022, they sent the franchise's all-time leading scorer at the time, Jonathan Huberdeau; MacKenzie Weegar; Cole Schwindt; and a conditional 2025 first-round draft pick to Calgary for Tkachuk. Tkachuk totals since the trade: 254 regular-season points in 211 games, 25 goals and 68 points in 67 playoff games. Team totals: three Eastern Conference titles, two Stanley Cups. READ MORE: A few fun facts about the Stanley Cup now that the Panthers have won it (again) 23: Carter Verhaeghe, LW. The Panthers signed Verhaeghe as a free agent on Oct. 9, 2020, after he spent his first NHL season as a bottom-six player for Tampa Bay's 2020 Stanley Cup winner. He has scored 122 total goals during the past four regular seasons and holds the Panthers' franchise record 33 playoff goals, 13 of which have been game winners. 25: Mackie Samoskevich, RW. The Panthers' 2021 first-round NHL Draft pick dressed for 72 regular season games this season, picking up 15 goals and 16 assists. 26: Uvis Balinskis, D. Signed as a free agent on April 18, 2023, and he dressed for 76 regular-season games for the Panthers this season. 27: Eetu Luostarinen, LW. Luostarinen came to the Panthers with Erik Haula, Lucas Wallmark and Chase Priskie on Feb. 24, 2020, as the Panthers sent Vincent Trocheck to Carolina. He helps make the Panthers third line one of the biggest matchup problems in the NHL, especially in the playoffs, where Luostarinen had five goals and 14 assists in 23 games this year. 42: Gustav Forsling, D. The Panthers claimed Forsling off waivers on Jan. 9, 2021, from Carolina. Carolina couldn't find room for him. Every team in the NHL wishes they did. Forsling and Aaron Ekblad get matched up against most teams' No. 1 lines as the Panthers top defense pair. How well Forsling handles that matchup can be seen in two stats: only 16 penalty minutes in 80 regular-season games and a team-high plus-33 plus/minus rating this season. 63: Brad Marchand, LW/C. The Panthers sent Boston, Marchand's NHL home since 2009, a conditional 2027 second-round pick for Marchand on Mar. 7 in a trade that shocked and dismayed the rest of the league. 'Dismayed' because Marchand added another skilled, gritty, annoying forward with Cup-winning experience to a Panthers team already fat with that. Marchand had 10 goals and 10 assists in 22 playoff games on the Panthers' important third line. 70: Jesper Boqvist, C. The Panthers signed Boqvist as a free agent on July 1. He appeared in 78 regular-season games, picking up 12 goals and 11 assists for 23 and had two goals and three assists in 13 playoff games. 72: Sergei Bobrovsky, G. The Panthers signed Bobrovsky, a two-time Vezina Trophy (best goalie) winner, as a free agent on July 1, 2019. During the playoffs, even in blowout wins, your goalie usually will need to make a big save or three. 'Bob' does that and two Stanley Cups leaves no doubt as to his future Hockey Hall of Fame induction. 77: Niko Mikkola, D. The Panthers signed the defensive defenseman as a free agent on July 1, 2023. Most teams would consider the 6-6 Mikkola with a pterodactyl wingspan and Seth Jones their No. 1 defense pair. 88: Nate Schmidt, D. Schmidt signed with the Panthers on July 3, his fifth team in a 12-season career. Playing on the Panthers' third pair, Schmidt had 19 points and was a plus four in 80 regular-season games. In the playoffs, his offensive thrusts produced got 12 points in 23 playoff games, usually at pivotal times. 92: Tomas Nosek, C: Nosek signed as a free agent on July 1, 2024. He played 59 regular-season games and 15 playoff games, usually on the fourth line. Paul Maurice wanted that line on the ice for the final seconds because he felt as if they turned around the second round series against Toronto with the Panthers down 2-0 in games and trailing in Game 3. Head coach Paul Maurice. Having the NHL's best record, best offense and winning a playoff round for the first time in 26 years didn't satisfy Panthers management after a second-round sweep loss to Tampa Bay in 2022. They dumped Andrew Brunette, hired Maurice, who wasn't looking for work after leaving Winnipeg. He took the job, changed the Panthers into an outfit with more a physical and defensive conscience and has been rewarded with three Eastern Conference championships and two Stanley Cups. General manager Bill Zito. Panthers ownership jettisoned 10-year general manager Dale Tallon on Aug. 10, 2020 and hired Zito 23 days later. Only four players remain on the Panthers roster from that day: Aleksander Barkov, Aaron Ekblad, Sergei Bobrovesky and left wing Eetu Luostarinen. Trading for Tkachuk, signing Verhaeghe, claiming Forsling off waivers and hiring Maurice are among Zito's ace moves that turned the Panthers from a playoff team to a Stanley Cup winner. Trading for Marchand and Jones kept them winners this year. Zito's also responsible for the hockey operations and scouting department advised on player acquisitions and helped with player development.
National Post
2 days ago
- Business
- National Post
Forget splashing free agency cash, Maple Leafs should instead follow an NBA model
It's time for the Toronto Maple Leafs to get creative. Article content This off-season has the potential for things to go really off track with dreadful long-term ramifications. Not enough quality in the free-agent crop and too many teams with ample cap space seems like a recipe for disaster. Article content Article content Even with the NHL's salary cap expected to rise significantly over the next few years, vastly overpaying free agents like Conn Smythe winner Sam Bennett, fellow champion Aaron Ekblad or others could come back to bite a team down the line. Article content Article content Back in 2016, a massive revenue spike stemming from a monster new television deal caused the NBA's salary cap to take a Michael Jordan-sized leap from $70 million US to $94.1 million. Article content The nearly 35% spike allowed the Golden State Warriors to create a dynasty by signing superstar Kevin Durant, but it also resulted in some epic mistakes that hurt teams and might have outright crippled some had the cap not kept accelerating (it was $109 million just three years later). Article content Article content Timofey Mozgov, a centre who barely played, got $65 million over four years; Andre Drummond, who has never moved the needle, got $130 million over five, similar to what Nic Batum got to be an OK starter. Other duds abounded as teams seemed to feel that they simply had to take part in the bidding and come away with something to show their fans. Article content We could see similar events unfolding this summer in the NHL. Per Spotrac, 19 of the league's 32 teams have at least $15 million in cap space available with 11 teams, including the Maple Leafs, boasting at least $23 million. There's going to be a spending spree borne of a fear of missing out. Article content We're not suggesting the Leafs skip the bidding altogether, that's not realistic or practical. Some of their cap space will be spent on restricted free agent Matthew Knies, a key future cog. If John Tavares will take the team-friendly deal the rumour mill has suggested he's willing to, bringing him back makes sense as well. As does retaining fellow veteran Max Pacioretty on a deal close to the minimum. Article content Article content You often see rebuilding or retooling basketball teams take on an unwelcome contract or two from a team itching to create cap space for prospects or draft picks. While the Leafs are in a contending and not rebuilding mode, they can still attempt a version of this strategy of weaponizing cap space.
