Florida Panthers sign defenseman Aaron Ekblad to long-term extension. The details
Aaron Ekblad has been a member of the Florida Panthers his entire NHL career.
It looks like that’s not changing any time soon.
The back-to-back Stanley Cup champion Panthers on Monday night formally announced that they have signed the veteran defenseman to an eight-year contract extension that runs through the 2032-33 season. The deal reportedly carries an average annual value of $6.1 million.
“I’m so excited to be a Panther for the next eight years,” Ekblad said in a video released by the team Monday. “I’m honored and privileged to have gotten a deal done today. It’s everything I could have ever asked for. I’m really excited to get back to work and get on our way to winning a third straight Stanley Cup.”
Ekblad, 29, has made it known that he wanted to be a Panther lifer. He has already been with them for 11 seasons ever since they took him No. 1 overall in the 2014 NHL Draft. He’s their second-longest tenured player behind captain Aleksander Barkov, with 732 career regular-season games played for the organization. Ekblad also holds the franchise’s defenseman records for games played (732), goals (118), assists (262) and points (380).
“Aaron is a pillar of our defense who has consistently excelled at both ends of the ice as one of the best defensemen in the NHL over the past decade,” Panthers president of hockey operations and general manager Bill Zito said in a press release. “From a Calder-winning rookie campaign to two Stanley Cup Championships, Aaron’s consummate leadership on and off the ice has been integral to our team’s success. After cementing his place in Panthers history, we are thrilled that he will continue his career in South Florida.”
He has battled through multiple injuries the past few years to remain in form as a top-pair defenseman, forming one of the top blue line duos in the league with Gustav Forsling, and taking more responsibility on the defensive side of the game after entering the league known more for his offensive production.
His perseverance and commitment paid off in the form of consecutive Stanley Cups the past two years.
“Listen, this team, I live and breathe for the Florida Panthers,” Ekblad said ahead of the Stanley Cup Final. “I bleed for the Florida Panthers. I’ve given my body and everything to this team, and I want to keep doing it forever, for as long as they’ll let me come to the rink.”
He will be staying for eight more years.
This story was originally published June 30, 2025 at 3:34 PM.
.JPG)