Confirmed Signing with Link: [FLA] Aaron Ekblad re-signs with Panthers (8 years, $7.500M AAV)

[danielpalfredsson]

Woah! Huge fan, but that's a lot of $$$ for this early into his career.

It is the same contract Doughty got (500k is probably off set by the cap going up). It is in the same ball park as Karlsson and Petriangelo when you consider this is an 8 year deal and theirs weren't.

It is a good contract. Gotta consider he still has a year left on his ELC, so this won't kick in until 2017-2018. It isn't a steal yet, but it has potential to look really good very soon.

You also have to consider Ekblad looks 35 years old and he isn't even 20 year. He's gotta cash in soon. At this rate, he'll look 60 by the time this deal is done. That's how it works right?

 

[hamzarocks]

Question for Florida fans. How much do you guys think ekblad is worth right now. Is this the type of deal that in a couple of years it will be fair value or even a steal, or is he already worth 7.5 million.

 

[Makar Goes Fast]

medium risk, high reward. panthers are betting on him and they should in my eyes.

 

[Vatican Roulette]

Steal for the Panthers.

---

Top dman like him get traded for younger defenseman who are just as good.

popcorn

 

[BB88]

Love Ekblad. But that seems like ALOT for his age and the amount he's proven. Wow.

Won't say it's a bad signing though, because he can definitely live up to the contract.

Have to remember this starts in 2017, for 1st year he's potentially overpaid but after that I bet it's going to look great.

Ekblad is a player that you just have to pay and not play games with him.

 

[SI90]

Awesome!!! Congrats Cats fans. This will be a steal of a deal for years to come if it isn't already!!! Nicely done.

 

[93LEAFS]

Massive deal for a guy with only 2 years, but they bought up 4 UFA years. It could blow up, but I highly doubt it, Ekblad looks special and the best D prospect since Doughty.

 

[clunk]

I wouldn't go that far. 18 year olds who have good seasons get overhyped for how good they are now compared to 25-30 year olds

From what I've seen of him, his effectiveness now proves to me that he is indeed worth that kind of money, presently and long term. He's a stud. He's going to win more than a few Norrises. He's that good. Just such a great, all around player.

 

[Claypool]

I think it's a calculated risk that will pay off in the long term, but they will probably get a couple seasons of him not being worth that

I mean, how much more money could he earn a few seasons from now? $7.5 million per makes him one of the highest paid defenseman in the league.

 

[Dabeast]

Question for Florida fans. How much do you guys think ekblad is worth right now. Is this the type of deal that in a couple of years it will be fair value or even a steal, or is he already worth 7.5 million.

If he wouldn't progress from here on out he'd probably be worth 5-5.5M, but he'll grow into it and it'll probably wind up being a steal imo.

 

[cyris]

Good deal. In 2 or 3 years it will be an absolute steal.
Young #1 D are worth their weight in gold.

 

[boredmale]

From what I've seen of him, his effectiveness now proves to me that he is indeed worth that kind of money, presently and long term. He's a stud. He's going to win more than a few Norrises. He's that good. Just such a great, all around player.

As I said 18 years old who have average seasons for a normal experience defensemen get overhyped for being great. I am not speaking how good he will be but if he stays at his 35 point level for the life of the contract while not getting better defensively(which I don't believe he will, I would expect him to improve over the life of the deal) then that contract would be terrible

 

[Le Magnifique 66]

Good for the Panthers, well done

 

[m302291]

Question for Florida fans. How much do you guys think ekblad is worth right now. Is this the type of deal that in a couple of years it will be fair value or even a steal, or is he already worth 7.5 million.

If he wouldn't progress from here on out he'd probably be worth 5-5.5M, but he'll grow into it and it'll probably wind up being a steal imo.

Agreed.

Right now Ekblad is a #2 d-man.

Could be a low end 1D by the end of next year.

But I would be shocked if he didn't get multiple Norris nominations. Kid's damn good.

 

[hamzarocks]

If he wouldn't progress from here on out he'd probably be worth 5-5.5M, but he'll grow into it and it'll probably wind up being a steal imo.

Fair enough. He has been great in his first two seasons. Looking like he will become one of the nhl's elite dmen. Great player, and i bet he would probably be the panthers favorite to become captain once Mitchell retires.

 

[SensBrawler]

Is Jimmy Murphy a legit source?

The fact that he tweeted this out 40 minutes ago and nobody else has said anything does make me question it.

 

[Jakey53]

I hate these long term contracts, but for a young guy like him, at his talent level, it is a hell of a deal.

 

[Tripod]

There is always a risk when doing long deals, just look at Dion Phaneufs first 3 years compared to later on. But obviously Florida believes he continue to be great. I think so to.

 

[SI90]

Ekblad is the real deal. I'm fine with this!!

 

[uncleben]

wow that's a lot.

worth it, but a lot.

 

[Bologna 1]

Heck of a deal. Well done.

 

[Knies iT]

Love Ekblad but he is ridiculously overrated, can`t believe some of the things I read about him on here.

The price point here is way too high and I don`t think he`ll live up to it.

 

[Paulinvancouver]

Love the player and the deal. Great value here

 

[Leafs87]

Love Ekblad. But that seems like ALOT for his age and the amount he's proven. Wow.

Won't say it's a bad signing though, because he can definitely live up to the contract.

My thoughts exactly

 

[Stealth JD]

Why the rush? Should have given him $10M over the next two....then throw the monster contract at him once he's had a couple of more seasons to prove he'll be worth it. As it stands, this is a great deal for Ekblad, and a pretty big gamble for Florida, who can only hope that he grows into that contract.