Speculation: Will Aaron Ekblad be extended by Florida?

[WarriorofTime]

It appears based on ATOI that Aaron Ekblad ('96 born RHD) has re-won the Number 1 Defenseman job for the defending Stanley Cup champions.

Ekblad will be 29 years old this Summer. Florida has four defensemen under contract for next year.

Gustav Forsling - 7 years remaining at $5.75 million AAV
Niko Mikkola - 1 year remaining at $2.25 million AAV
Dmitry Kulikov - 3 years remaining at $1.15 million AAV
Uvis Balinskis - 1 year remaining at $0.850 million AAV

Where do the Panthers and their former 1st overall selection stand in terms of a potential contract extension?

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[BB88]

No, should have been traded like Huberdeau

But I guess they will now that they kept him, you just don’t want to give him a massive contract through his 30’s. Seabrook in the making

 

[UnSandvich]

Fairly likely I'd say. Only other big FA for them is Bennett, and they're looking at 15.5 in open cap space

 

[TotalHomer]

Depends what Ekblad wants. He isn't getting more than Forsling in Florida.

 

[VeteranPresence]

Thinking he is traded, it's not Florida's style to sink money into past performance unless it's a screaming deal. Ekblad probably looks to chase the bag though given it could be his last big contract what with his injury history, which you can't hold against him.

 

[DudeWhereIsMakar]

He should take the discount considering he's been there his career and seems to love Florida. Otherwise if he takes the money I see him going elsewhere.

 

[Dabeast]

I hope so man. By far the most overly disrespected player in this league. You wouldn't think it would be possible for the big 1RD from Ontario who just won a cup to be slandered nearly as much as he is,

The two leg injuries as well as the change in system under Maurice have lead to him being much less of an offensively oriented dman, but he's still very strong defensively. It really just comes down to the financials, as with Bennett, but it would feel wrong for him to leave. He's one long term extension away from #5 being in the rafters when he retires.

 

[centipede2233]

I think he will be resigned 8x5.5 mil per. It’s a good AAV for a top pairing RD, and if you have to LTIR the last few years so be it. Ekblad stays in Florida where he has set roots, play in a tax free state and gets the 8 yrs no other team can offer, it’s a win win

 

[KrisLetAngry]

7.5 x 7.

Keep same AAV stays at 7 years.

 

[LeonDraisaitl]

They might have the money to do so but I feel as if they should allocate their cap elsewhere.

 

[Djp]

I dont see florida investing in him at $9M+ which is what he asks for

 

[Laus723]

I hope so man. By far the most overly disrespected player in this league. You wouldn't think it would be possible for the big 1RD from Ontario who just won a cup to be slandered nearly as much as he is,

The two leg injuries as well as the change in system under Maurice have lead to him being much less of an offensively oriented dman, but he's still very strong defensively. It really just comes down to the financials, as with Bennett, but it would feel wrong for him to leave. He's one long term extension away from #5 being in the rafters when he retires.

His leg injuries are the biggest question. He’s elite at cutting guys off coming into the zone, but he’s too slow to catch a guy if they get past him. Fully trust Zito here, also depends on what happens with Benny imo.

 

[BKarchitect]

Ekblad playing 3 seconds more per night than Forsling doesn’t make him the #1 defenseman on that team. The stats and the eye test tell you who stirs the drink on the Panthers blueline and Forsling also doesn’t play on the PP this year much - he plays a full minute more at even strength than Ekblad.

That said, I think the Panthers have done a great job at utilizing Ekblad and managing him as a different style of defenseman than he was as a young, pre-injury beast.

Whether you think the legs and lack of mobility can hold up moving forward is still a big question. If I’m the Panthers, I enjoy one more Cup run with him and if he wants to take a big discount to fit under Forsling’s AAV - you consider it. But if he wants to maintain his current AAV…I still easily walk away and say thanks for the memories and Cup, big guy.

 

[Coffee]

Depends what Ekblad wants. He isn't getting more than Forsling in Florida.

Panthers fans voted no even if he would take a discount

 

[CanadienShark]

I think he will be resigned 8x5.5 mil per. It’s a good AAV for a top pairing RD, and if you have to LTIR the last few years so be it. Ekblad stays in Florida where he has set roots, play in a tax free state and gets the 8 yrs no other team can offer, it’s a win win

That's an absurdly low number for him. He could easily get 7.5m+ on the open market.

 

[elmaco]

I hope so man. By far the most overly disrespected player in this league. You wouldn't think it would be possible for the big 1RD from Ontario who just won a cup to be slandered nearly as much as he is,

The two leg injuries as well as the change in system under Maurice have lead to him being much less of an offensively oriented dman, but he's still very strong defensively. It really just comes down to the financials, as with Bennett, but it would feel wrong for him to leave. He's one long term extension away from #5 being in the rafters when he retires.

It's what you get when you go 1st OA and then don't deliver, it's a tough business.

 

[TotalHomer]

. He's one long term extension away from #5 being in the rafters when he retires.

On what basis? Games played? This is a pretty huge stretch, he's been a good player not great.

Panthers fans voted no even if he would take a discount

Not sure which poll you are referring to. It all comes down to what he wants, I don't think there are more than one or two people who would want to see him gone no matter what.

 

[Howboutthempanthers]

It's what you get when you go 1st OA and then don't deliver, it's a tough business.

I think he delivered. Has a Stanley Cup. Has been a top pairing D just about his whole career with the team.

 

[elmaco]

I think he delivered. Has a Stanley Cup. Has been a top pairing D just about his whole career with the team.

I think you can agree that for a 1st OA, he was always pretty underwhelming.

 

[Howboutthempanthers]

I think you can agree that for a 1st OA, he was always pretty underwhelming.

All I know is, he was a key contributor to a SC. That's all you can ask for.

 

[elmaco]

All I know is, he was a key contributor to a SC. That's all you can ask for.

I agree. Still it's not a sin to strive to be better, maybe FLA would have won more than one cup by now if they had chosen someone different. I know this can be argued to death but i think you got my point.

 

[Pablo El Perro]

I think you can agree that for a 1st OA, he was always pretty underwhelming.

His first year, playing with Campbell he looked like he'd be a better scorer, but, yeah, he's not in the top tier of 1st OA picks. For his limitations, he still contributes, but I'd think any extension comes with a significant pay cut.

 

[Howboutthempanthers]

I agree. Still it's not a sin to strive to be better, maybe FLA would have won more than one cup by now if they had chosen someone different. I know this can be argued to death but i think you got my point.

It's way too many factors involved in that. The Panthers organization wasn't good enough to win a cup.

 

[Dread Clawz]

Yes, just because who are you gonna replace him with? The UFA market is extremely thin next summer, especially for RD who can play on a top pair. Ekblad has already alluded to taking a discount to stay in Florida. He really doesn't wanna go anywhere else

 

[Chaos2k7]

I think you can agree that for a 1st OA, he was always pretty underwhelming.

More than good enough to play with and beat the Oilers 1st overall picks last year.

Doesn't need to be an offensive dynamo to be a fantastic top pair RHD, but his prime is over and he isn't the #1 anymore. Needs to take a haircut to stay.