Value of: Ekblad next contract?

[kerrabria]

Ekblad has not led Panthers defensemen in both overall TOI and EV TOI since 2019-20. I.e., not a single season that they've actually made the playoffs.
Weegar took the mantle from Ekblad when he was getting injured every other month.
And even when Weegar was traded, both Forsling and Montour passed Ekblad on the depth chart in 2022-23.

 

[BB88]

It’s funny that everyone already knows it’s going to be a Seabrook 2.0 type contract yet a Gm making millions can’t wait to give him that contract

 

[Laus723]

Skjei got 7M at 30 years old after having a 47 point season and playing in a prime shutdown role vs elite competition.
Hanifin got 7.35M at 27 years old after multiple strong seasons in Calgary as a strong 2-way defender.

That was Forsling's market if he hit UFA. He is a similar caliber defenseman to those 2, thus he was not getting much more than that. That is not a knock at Forsling by any stretch of the imagination. All 3 are very good defensemen but none have ever scored 50+ points in a season. Hell, look what Slavin just signed for in July, just under 6.4M. And he's widely considered a top 10 defenseman in the league because of his defensive prowess. That is just simple how the market was a year ago, now we have the cap projected to be over 100M in 2 years

I'm not saying he would've made Jones/Nurse money, but I wouldn't have been too surprised if he had. Slavin took a big discount to stay, pretty sure we all know that, as did Forsling. Hanifin is a good comp, likely somewhere between the two you mentioned. imho

 

[SannywithoutCompy]

He's definitely going to get PED this summer

Woops, paid**

 

[Leafshater67]

If I were Aaron, I’d take a small hit in AAV to get a full 8 years. We all know he’s gonna end it on LTIR so he might as well get it on the back end and win another one too.

7m x 8 years would be good for both sides, especially with Florida tax.

 

[Pablo El Perro]

Been the #1 dman for the Panthers through their window and is the clear #1 dman on the market this offseason. Panthers are missing him pretty badly right now, which might make them reconsider letting him walk.

But what do we think he is getting offered if he hits UFA? Is he making 10M July 1st?

Panthers are missing Kulikov more than Ekblad

 

[FinlandPanther]

If I were Aaron, I’d take a small hit in AAV to get a full 8 years. We all know he’s gonna end it on LTIR so he might as well get it on the back end and win another one too.

7m x 8 years would be good for both sides, especially with Florida tax.

Lol

 

[Leafshater67]

Lol

Trade 1m for another year… no way he gets more than 8 for a full 7 with his injury history and skating at his age.

He’d take home way more on a 7m x 8 in Florida than he would on a 9m x 5 pretty much anywhere else. Doubt he gets 7y

 

[FinlandPanther]

Trade 1m for another year… no way he gets more than 8 for a full 7 with his injury history and skating at his age.

He’d take home way more on a 7m x 8 in Florida than he would on a 9m x 5 pretty much anywhere else. Doubt he gets 7y

I think Ekblad is pretty underrated but you're severely overrating his numbers.

 

[Leafshater67]

I think Ekblad is pretty underrated but you're severely overrating his numbers.

What do you think he’s going to get?

Top pair RD, skyrocketing cap. I don’t think there’s any way in hell he gets less than 7m unless he really, really wants to win again in Florida.

 

[FinlandPanther]

What do you think he’s going to get?

Top pair RD, skyrocketing cap. I don’t think there’s any way in hell he gets less than 7m unless he really, really wants to win again in Florida.

He has massive injury issues and now with this PED thing, I’m sure he’s not going to do as well as you think.

 

[Leafshater67]

He has massive injury issues and now with this PED thing, I’m sure he’s not going to do as well as you think.

What do you think he’ll get?

 

[Jannik Hansen]

GMs will be tripping all over each other to sign a big, slow defenceman that went 1st overall to an abomination of a contract. Ekblad clears at least 7.5x7 at minimum.

 

[Dread Clawz]

Ek said in the beginning of the season that he would take a discount to stay. How much is the question though. Bennett is the priority, even though Ek is very important as well.

 

[HogtownSabresfan]

probably 8Mx7 if he hits FA, maybe 8.5M. His injury history will definitely hurt his chances at a big retirement deal

I would get 9.5 M X 7 to get him to Buffalo

 

[Laus723]

I would get 9.5 M X 7 to get him to Buffalo

Really? which of Byram, Power, or Dahlin do you see not staying around to do so?

 

[Sticksandsun]

Really? which of Byram, Power, or Dahlin do you see not staying around to do so?

I think Dahlin will ask for a trade next year if Buffalo flounders again in October and November.

 

[Laus723]

I think Dahlin will ask for a trade next year if Buffalo flounders again in October and November.

If Ek is there and they're struggling early in the season again with that blue line, I wouldn't blame him.

 

[Ledge And Dairy]

I would get 9.5 M X 7 to get him to Buffalo

I think you'll see teams like Chicago and San Jose with similar thoughts.

Also isn't Buffalo in a bit of a cap crunch the next 2 years because of the Skinner buyout? Not saying they shouldn't target a top 4 RD but they are already paying 2 defensemen over 19M combined. Not to mention Samuelsson's 4.3M deal (could be bought out or moved) and Byram's raise this summer. I would be looking to add more of a shutdown RD for the top 4 if I were them.

 

[KrisLetAngry]

I can see Florida sign him 7 million by 8 years. Full NmC first 6 years. Front loaded contract.

Nashville though may throw 9x7 full NmC if he makes it to UFA.

 

[Pinkfloyd]

Depends on what Ekblad wants but if he's willing to do a four year deal, I think the Sharks could make an overpay work. Even if it's 11-12 mil, they can manage that. Don't think I'd have any interest in Ekblad for seven years like I'd expect him to get on the open market.

 

[Laus723]

I can see Florida sign him 7 million by 8 years. Full NmC first 6 years. Front loaded contract.

Nashville though may throw 9x7 full NmC if he makes it to UFA.

I'm not sure the Panthers want to sign him to that length, I'm genuinely curious to see how the summer goes.. Zito never disappoints.

 

[KrisLetAngry]

I'm not sure the Panthers want to sign him to that length, I'm genuinely curious to see how the summer goes.. Zito never disappoints.

Well maybe he can get it to 8.5 x 6 = 51 million over 6 years versus 56 million over 8 years.

Tough to say there's a huge market for Ekblad. It's possible Florida walks away.

We have a EK in Pittsburgh we can trade at a 7 million AV retained but it will cost some assets.

 

[Laus723]

Well maybe he can get it to 8.5 x 6 = 51 million over 6 years versus 56 million over 8 years.

Tough to say there's a huge market for Ekblad. It's possible Florida walks away.

We have a EK in Pittsburgh we can trade at a 7 million AV retained but it will cost some assets.

I'd rather overpay for slow, multi-leg injury boy over your EK. Haven't been a fan of his game for awhile. I think a big part of why that got Jones is to have added insurance should Ek (lower case K) walk. I think he wants to stay, he was here through some bad times, but it depends on what he wants. And what kind of hot water he's in after PEDgate.

 

[stempniaksen]

$9+ X 7 if he leaves. There's no saying how much of a hometown discount he'd take to re-up for the Panthers but I doubt he'd get less than Chychrun on the open market. He's still a top pairing RD with a cup ring despite the baggage a long term contract would carry.