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

[KW]

Ha. Ek isn’t easily intimidated.

 

[IceManCat]

I think at that price you HAVE to take him back. Just because there isnt a worthwhile replacement to be had. Not many RD are available for free agency. Not signing a capable top pairing partner for Forsling would be a huge mistake going forward, also his advanced metrics are phenomenal he really is one of the best defensive players in the league. It would be crushing to not replace that especially at a fair price.

You guys are deranged if you wouldn't take a top pair RHD at $4.5m AAV.

Exactly, a whole lot of uneducated, idiotic takes in this one.

 

[Marco 85]

I voted no.
Time to move on but if we were going to sign him.
No more than 2 years.
His body doesn’t merit more then 2 years.

I find it crazy that players are getting 8 year deals.
Great for the player but handcuffs the team.

 

[WaitingForThatCab]

You guys are deranged if you wouldn't take a top pair RHD at $4.5m AAV.

Here is the thing, this contract is not about how Aaron Ekblad is playing now, it is about how Aaron Ekblad is going to be playing in the future. Right now, I think he is struggling to keep up with top pair duties. In three years, how do you think it's going to look?

 

[wampa13jku]

Voted yes but im 50/50.

If Zito finds anything better in free agency I would be down to go with that, time to go with a better skater, healthier guy, we already got our #1 D and thats Gus. Ek has been a workhorse for us and he is homegrown talent but Im scared of how his health is gonna hold moving forward, dont want the team to be tied up to that @ 4-5 mil for a guy that cant play a whole season. We know he's gonna miss a couple of games every season, it is a matter of when.

If he stays I recommend the Panthers hire @Gentle Man to help put Ekblad back together everytime he breaks like a Lego set

 

[kerrabria]

Here is the thing, this contract is not about how Aaron Ekblad is playing now, it is about how Aaron Ekblad is going to be playing in the future. Right now, I think he is struggling to keep up with top pair duties. In three years, how do you think it's going to look?

I disagree that he's struggling as a top pair guy, but even if you're right, that reasoning shows how spoiled this fanbase has gotten. You don't want to sign a 2/3D to $4.5m AAV because you're worried that three years from now, when the cap is $100m, the you might be stuck spending $4.5m on a 4/5D.

Again, even if you're hesitant about 2030 Ekblad, who are you replacing him with in 2025-26? Zito is not going to wake up one day and shit out a 22 minute per night defenseman who makes $3m.

 

[Panthers Propaganda]

At a discount sure. At a raise, no.

 

[Panthersfan1989]

3.5 x2 that's my final offer.

 

[WaitingForThatCab]

I disagree that he's struggling as a top pair guy, but even if you're right, that reasoning shows how spoiled this fanbase has gotten. You don't want to sign a 2/3D to $4.5m AAV because you're worried that three years from now, when the cap is $100m, the you might be stuck spending $4.5m on a 4/5D.

Again, even if you're hesitant about 2030 Ekblad, who are you replacing him with in 2025-26? Zito is not going to wake up one day and shit out a 22 minute per night defenseman who makes $3m.

What I'm saying is, I don't think Aaron Ekblad is going to be a 22 minute per night defenseman for very long. I think the Panthers need to start looking -- immediately -- to find a replacement or at least a stopgap for those minutes. I would wager that the team is already doing so.

I am in favor of re-signing Ekblad to play a lesser role -- fewer and easier minutes -- at a contract appropriate for that role. I think signing him to be a heavy lifter for another 6(?) years will be utterly disastrous.

I don't want the Panthers to have a three year window of competition and then fall into the abyss. I want the team to manage these contracts effectively so that even if the last year or two of a given contract hurts a bit, the team doesn't go back to 2010.