Would you take Ekblad back at a "hometown" discount (4-5 million AAV)

[Sticksandsun]

Look at that dip during Maurice's first year....which is understandable

And yeah, he started bad 2024-25. But have you seen him the last 3 games? He's been literally our best player lol and look at the results. Absolute blow outs

Yes he has been great for a couple games but people thinking he's taking $5 million or so are dreaming.
His foot speed will not age well in a top pair role and paying $6 million for a 2nd pairing guy seems silly?

I don't see how he takes less than 6.5 mil long term and would rather pay slightly more for Andersson level defenseman.

 

[Dread Clawz]

Rather pay Andersson though, even if it's at Ekblad's current caphit, he'd be #1 free agent add.
Him and Forsling could eat up 25 mins a game and both be locked up long term.

Possibly move Rodrigues to open up room and Samoskevich can fill his role offensively.

Do we even have the assets to get Andersson? That would completely drain our pipeline.

 

[Sticksandsun]

Do we even have the assets to get Andersson? That would completely drain our pipeline.

More hoping he would go to free agency (long shot) but we would have a spot for him if Zito doesn't extend Ekblad, a team with Cup window and the Florida lifestyle.

Tkachuk knows him as well?

 

[Dread Clawz]

More hoping he would go to free agency (long shot) but we would have a spot for him if Zito doesn't extend Ekblad, a team with Cup window and the Florida lifestyle.

Tkachuk knows him as well?

Yeah but we'd have a hole on D for one year.

 

[Sticksandsun]

Yeah but we'd have a hole on D for one year.

You right, thought he was UFA this year.
Who's our 2nd best F prospect then?
Consider 2026 1st gone as well.

 

[Dread Clawz]

You right, thought he was UFA this year.
Who's our 2nd best F prospect then?
Consider 2026 1st gone as well.

St. Martin or Sawchyn. That plus a 1st is a lot to give up. I'd rather go other avenues if we canm

 

[Sticksandsun]

St. Martin or Sawchyn. That plus a 1st is a lot to give up. I'd rather go other avenues if we canm

For a 40-50 point, top pair defenseman?
Not sure I agree.

 

[zeroG]

For a 40-50 point, top pair defenseman?
Not sure I agree.

news flash - ek is on pace for 44 points and is a top pair Dman. and this isn't a great season for him production-wise.

he will also certainly sign for (potentially a lot) cheaper than a top FA.

 

[Sticksandsun]

news flash - ek is on pace for 44 points and is a top pair Dman. and this isn't a great season for him production-wise.

he will also certainly sign for (potentially a lot) cheaper than a top FA.

"Pace", let's see what he finishes with.
Very odd the Ekblad defenders now, he was almost as big of a scapegoat as Yandle was just last year

 

[Dread Clawz]

For a 40-50 point, top pair defenseman?
Not sure I agree.

Not saying he's not worth it, but rather we don't have the assets to give up .

 

[Chaos2k7]

"Pace", let's see what he finishes with.
Very odd the Ekblad defenders now, he was almost as big of a scapegoat as Yandle was just last year

The vitriol for Ekblad was/is misguided at best.

We will see what Zito thinks soon enough.

 

[Sticksandsun]

The vitriol for Ekblad was/is misguided at best.

We will see what Zito thinks soon enough.

I agree, not hating on Ekblad, just thinking long term about this Cup window. Not a fan of Ekblads foot speed and health when giving him 7-8 years.
There's a couple options Zito has at his disposal.

Bob is moved and $5-6 million of his cap is gone, along with Rodrigues $4 million too. That easily pays for Bennett and Ekblad to stay.

Bob stays but Ekblad is not brought back, you need to find a top 3 defenseman for a similar cap hit of Ekblads.

Both Bob and Ekblad stay but you can't keep Bennett.

We worrying about stuff happening in July when we should be focused on the Panthers going back to back, repeating as Champs.

 

[violaswallet]

For a 40-50 point, top pair defenseman?
Not sure I agree.

I'd do Mackie, Uvs, and a first for Ras at 50%.

That extends are window for the next two years.

Forsy-Ekky
Mikkola-Anderson
Schmidt-Kulikov

is a strong f***ing D.

 

[Sticksandsun]

I'd do Mackie, Uvs, and a first for Ras at 50%.

That extends are window for the next two years.

Forsy-Ekky
Mikkola-Anderson
Schmidt-Kulikov

is a strong f***ing D.

Swap Mackie for Rodrigues + another prospect.

Not as strong as yours

 

[Dread Clawz]

I agree, not hating on Ekblad, just thinking long term about this Cup window. Not a fan of Ekblads foot speed and health when giving him 7-8 years.
There's a couple options Zito has at his disposal.

Bob is moved and $5-6 million of his cap is gone, along with Rodrigues $4 million too. That easily pays for Bennett and Ekblad to stay.

Bob stays but Ekblad is not brought back, you need to find a top 3 defenseman for a similar cap hit of Ekblads.

Both Bob and Ekblad stay but you can't keep Bennett.

We worrying about stuff happening in July when we should be focused on the Panthers going back to back, repeating as Champs.

We can fit all of Bob+Knight, Ek, and Benny. The question is if we want to go after anyone else.

 

[barkovcanfinnish]

We have to sign Mackie this year too. He’s an RFA but hoping he’ll bridge at least a year so when the goalie contracts expire we have more cap to sign him if he keeps progressing

 

[Dread Clawz]

We have to sign Mackie this year too. He’s an RFA but hoping he’ll bridge at least a year so when the goalie contracts expire we have more cap to sign him if he keeps progressing

My guess is like 1.5 for 2 years. Similar to JBo. Both shouldn't be that expensive.

 

[Panthers Propaganda]

He’s been good the last few games…mostly. My concern is who do you get to replace him feasibly?

 

[ShootIt]

Using Chuck Fletchers app, NHL 25, I re-signed Ekblad to a 4 year 5.5 mil deal.

Reasonable.

 

[Jean Luc Discard]

Using Chuck Fletchers app, NHL 25, I re-signed Ekblad to a 4 year 5.5 mil deal.

Reasonable.

The only reasonable thing is to let Ekblad walk.

 

[KW]

View attachment 942212

The only reasonable thing is to let Ekblad walk.

Walk? You’ve upgraded his speed?

 

[Jean Luc Discard]

Walk? You’ve upgraded his speed?

A walking cane is included with this unit.

 

[Felidae]

"Pace", let's see what he finishes with.
Very odd the Ekblad defenders now, he was almost as big of a scapegoat as Yandle was just last year

Someone's gotta fill the void left by Vendetta