Ekblad vs Bennett vs Marchand

[I am not exposed]

Marchand 3x4 or 4x4, Ek 4x5, Bennet 7x8 (LTIR Tkachuk for next season with off season surgery).

Lol at thinking Marchand will sign for that little. He will get something like $7m per year for three years.

The cap is going up. No way Marchand or Ekblad are signing for that little if they stay or go.

 

[Desert Panther]

Give this kind of contract to Marchand



Keep Benny and Ekblad on bonus laden deals

Profit

Doesn't solve the problem. Cap hit is still not workable to sign all three given what's available

 

[Chaos2k7]

Doesn't solve the problem. Cap hit is still not workable to sign all three given what's available

It lowers the cap hit, it would work fine.

 

[Gentle Man]

Doesn't solve the problem. Cap hit is still not workable to sign all three given what's available

Sure it does. Just take a look at Anaheim.

Without the deferred portion, the AAV is 6M. However, factoring the deferred salary, it lowers it to 4.57. That's not insignificant especially in Florida with the taxes and all

Players will have to agree to this, I believe a couple of Canes players are paid with this option (Slavin and Jarvis). Yes, it will involve years for the player to get his agreed money in his wallet, but you still get paid a decent salary up front and you get to compete for a cup.

 

[Desert Panther]

Sure it does. Just take a look at Anaheim.

Without the deferred portion, the AAV is 6M. However, factoring the deferred salary, it lowers it to 4.57. That's not insignificant especially in Florida with the taxes and all

Players will have to agree to this, I believe a couple of Canes players are paid with this option (Slavin and Jarvis). Yes, it will involve years for the player to get his agreed money in his wallet, but you still get paid a decent salary up front and you get to compete for a cup.

It lowers the cap hit, it would work fine.

I get what they did with Vatrano's contract as far as trying to predict the future value of money. It's still a bridge too far without some other significant hometown discounts and even then it's a reach. There's an estimated $19M available. Assuming Sam takes $7M which would be leaving money on the table and assuming Ek takes a discount to $6M. That leaves $6M to get all of March, Mackie and the necessary additional depth signed. To get all three at that point will very likely cost ERod and his $3M cap hit in a separate deal.

 

[Felidae]

Probably unpopular but I feel like Ekblad is even more valuable than Bennett just by virtue of his role on the team as a first pairing defenseman. He's been deployed as such almost his entire career (24th highest ATOI among active players)

Finding a replacement for him will be difficult. Remember when Montour was gone before Jones arrival? Even when he was no longer as impactful as he was in 2022-23, his absence was very noticeable.

If Bennett is gone, at least we are deeper on forwards than we are on defenseman. Lundell could finally step up as the 2C, and finding a 3C replacement would certainly be easier than finding someone to replace Ekblad's minute munching.

 

[IdleTraveller]

Probably unpopular but I feel like Ekblad is even more valuable than Bennett just by virtue of his role on the team as a first pairing defenseman. He's been deployed as such almost his entire career (24th highest ATOI among active players)

Finding a replacement for him will be difficult. Remember when Montour was gone before Jones arrival? Even when he was no longer as impactful as he was in 2022-23, his absence was very noticeable.

If Bennett is gone, at least we are deeper on forwards than we are on defenseman. Lundell could finally step up as the 2C, and finding a 3C replacement would certainly be easier than finding someone to replace Ekblad's minute munching.

I agree, although ideally we keep both, and I still think we will. I see Marchand as a luxury/pure rental, as great as he is, and we continue the tradition of finding vets at the deadline to plug into our third line.

 

[KW]

I agree, although ideally we keep both, and I still think we will. I see Marchand as a luxury/pure rental, as great as he is, and we continue the tradition of finding vets at the deadline to plug into our third line.

Zito will find a way to keep Benny and Marchy.

Ek will stay just for the plane snacks, which I hear are worth it.

 

[jackp0t]

Why not give Marchand a low base salary and a bunch of easy bonuses (10 games, 20 games, assists) for the first year of his contract ? just like Boston did with Bergeron and Krejci for their final return ? It will bounce to the 2026-2027 season, which is a higher salary cap and Bobrovsky wont be at 10M. Everybody else is sign except Mikkola for that summer.

I would look to do the same with other aging veterans chasing a cup on a 1 year deal : Duchene, Giroux, Tavares, Burns...anybody really, for the right price.

 

[NinjaTurtle]

Why not give Marchand a low base salary and a bunch of easy bonuses (10 games, 20 games, assists) for the first year of his contract ? just like Boston did with Bergeron and Krejci for their final return ? It will bounce to the 2026-2027 season, which is a higher salary cap and Bobrovsky wont be at 10M. Everybody else is sign except Mikkola for that summer.

I would look to do the same with other aging veterans chasing a cup on a 1 year deal : Duchene, Giroux, Tavares, Burns...anybody really, for the right price.

I think performance bonuses are only for entry level deals and 35+ one year deals. Can’t load first year of a multi-year deal like that and Marchand will want the guarantee of multiple years.

My gut has been saying Brent Burns could be next year’s cheap veteran depth defence option and Florida’s coaching staff will make him look ten years younger. Big body with offensive instincts. Maybe a little Deja vu after Thorton’s stint years ago.

 

[Desert Panther]

I think performance bonuses are only for entry level deals and 35+ one year deals. Can’t load first year of a multi-year deal like that and Marchand will want the guarantee of multiple years.

My gut has been saying Brent Burns could be next year’s cheap veteran depth defence option and Florida’s coaching staff will make him look ten years younger. Big body with offensive instincts. Maybe a little Deja vu after Thorton’s stint years ago.

You're right on Marchand. That was why he and Boston couldn't agree on a contract. He wanted 3yrs, but they were unwilling to give more than two.

If you're suggesting Burns, I assume that means you think we should resign Bennett and Marchand and let Ekblad walk?

 

[Chaos2k7]

You're right on Marchand. That was why he and Boston couldn't agree on a contract. He wanted 3yrs, but they were unwilling to give more than two.

If you're suggesting Burns, I assume that means you think we should resign Bennett and Marchand and let Ekblad walk?

Burns is cooked. Couple years now.

 

[KW]

Ek can go to Toronno or Dallas or even Edmonton and tell them guys here’s what the panthers are gonna do and if we do what he says we’re gonna do, they still can’t stop us. Sorry, I’m not super worried about losing Ek.

 

[Great8Cam]

I think performance bonuses are only for entry level deals and 35+ one year deals. Can’t load first year of a multi-year deal like that and Marchand will want the guarantee of multiple years.

My gut has been saying Brent Burns could be next year’s cheap veteran depth defence option and Florida’s coaching staff will make him look ten years younger. Big body with offensive instincts. Maybe a little Deja vu after Thorton’s stint years ago.

I have always liked the Giant Wookie.

 

[Desert Panther]

Burns is cooked. Couple years now.

I don't disagree there. Especially at 40 years old. No way he gives anyone 20-22min a night anymore.

But if you recall, everyone said the same about OEL before last year as well.

 

[PBPantherfan]

Burns is cooked. Couple years now.

He’s burnt at 21 mins a night, how would he be with 3rd pairing 2nd PP mins. Not advocating for him to come here but he has been way overused the last couple years.

 

[NinjaTurtle]

You're right on Marchand. That was why he and Boston couldn't agree on a contract. He wanted 3yrs, but they were unwilling to give more than two.

If you're suggesting Burns, I assume that means you think we should resign Bennett and Marchand and let Ekblad walk?

As an outside observer, I think it will be impossible to keep all 3, short of some miracle (Tkachuk LTIR?) and real sweetheart deals. Feel like centre and defence need to be prioritized over wing. I’d probably rank them Bennett-Ekblad-Marchand. The Ekblad deal is tricky with the mileage he’s got on him. I think Bennett would be smart to stick in Florida, a situation tailored to him. Maybe the years of being miscast in Calgary will make him value the fit of team/role over chasing the biggest payday.

Burns would be for the third pair replacing Schmidt, 15-16 minutes a night and 2nd PP.

Interested to see what sort of bargain deals Zito can find for back up goalie and depth roles or if necessary replacing Ekblad/Marchand.

 

[WaitingForThatCab]

Probably unpopular but I feel like Ekblad is even more valuable than Bennett just by virtue of his role on the team as a first pairing defenseman. He's been deployed as such almost his entire career (24th highest ATOI among active players)

Finding a replacement for him will be difficult. Remember when Montour was gone before Jones arrival? Even when he was no longer as impactful as he was in 2022-23, his absence was very noticeable.

If Bennett is gone, at least we are deeper on forwards than we are on defenseman. Lundell could finally step up as the 2C, and finding a 3C replacement would certainly be easier than finding someone to replace Ekblad's minute munching.

Ekblad is having a nice little renaissance to his career this year, and I'm happy for him, and I would very much love to see him back on the team next season... but I think the elephant in the room is that Seth Jones was brought in to be a first pair minutes guy. If Ekblad is back, I think he will start to have his role reduced quickly, and at that point it would not be ideal to pay him a lot of money.

If he's willing to take the Forsling deal, then I think you bring him back. If he wants another $7.5m annual contract, I think the team has to balk. If he wants a raise? It's gonna suck to see him playing in Toronto.

Bill Zito loves Sam Bennett and he's not stupid. Bennett will remain a Panther. As for the other two, I think it is really up to them. And I will never blame a player for cashing in, they have a very finite number of paydays as NHL players, and they need to get value out of them.

 

[jackp0t]

I think performance bonuses are only for entry level deals and 35+ one year deals. Can’t load first year of a multi-year deal like that and Marchand will want the guarantee of multiple years.

My gut has been saying Brent Burns could be next year’s cheap veteran depth defence option and Florida’s coaching staff will make him look ten years younger. Big body with offensive instincts. Maybe a little Deja vu after Thorton’s stint years ago.

You are right its for a 1year deal only. That being said, I have a feeling they get it done with 1 or 2 veterans on a nice deal. Maybe Giroux could be a replacement for Bennett and rotate between 2C and 3C with Lundell depending on how well it goes. Like a 1M + 4M in bonus type of deal. That leaves 18m for Ekblad, Marchand, Schmidt and back-up goalie.

Burns is not ideal and should really be a 19minutes guy as no.4/5 - but if it allows you to retain Marchand/Schmidt/Bennett ... worth a shot. And there's also the possibility of adding 1 more D at deadline if its an issue.

 

[HanTykje]

Keep everyone since the calary cap is incrising.

 

[Gentle Man]

Lol when did Brent Burns enter the chat

Kick him out

 

[Little Bobby Boo]

Ek can go to Toronno or Dallas or even Edmonton and tell them guys here’s what the panthers are gonna do and if we do what he says we’re gonna do, they still can’t stop us. Sorry, I’m not super worried about losing Ek.

Losing Ek would be a massive blow if the Oilers win the cup.

Losing Ek after b2b cups is a lot easier to swallow.

Honestly, if we win another, nothing matters for a long time.

 

[Justlou4545]

For me its Benny>> Ekblad>>>>>Marchand

While I love Marchand, I think he is a luxury with Mackie sitting in the box. If we can move Erod, I could see a reason to try and keep Marchand but younger cost-controlled players like Mackie are what we need to continue this era of dominance.

Ekblad is a lifer and coveted RH shot and despite his body being broken, he is still good in his own end and makes a great first pass out of the zone. If Ekky takes a discount, you have to keep him.

Benny is just a dog that fits like a glove here. Benny will get a significant raise. Pretty simple, he needs to stay.

I would also like to see Benning get a shot at Nate's spot in the lineup next year. There is some savings to be had if he can make the jump.

 

[RogerRoger]

I hope Benny, Ekky, and Marchy sit down with Jones and Reinhart and they listen to their tales of playing for Buffalo and Chicago. It saves a milly each, easy.

 

[Chaos2k7]

I don't disagree there. Especially at 40 years old. No way he gives anyone 20-22min a night anymore.

But if you recall, everyone said the same about OEL before last year as well.

OEL wasn't 40 he was 32 And coming off serious injury. Burns has 20+ seasons under his belt if he doesn't play in Carolina I think he retires.