Before the Panthers took a dip into the free-agent pool on Friday they came to terms on a contract with two-time All-Star defenseman Aaron Ekblad that, according to sources, will make him the highest-paid player in franchise history.
Ekblad, 20, is in the final season of his three-year, entry-level deal at $925,000. The new deal, which is for $60 million over eight years, couldn't be consummated until 12:01 p.m. Friday.
The deal will go into effect next offseason and carry a salary-cap hit of $7.5 million. It's the most lucrative contract for a Panthers player in team history and would make Ekblad the fifth highest-paid defensemen in the NHL behind P.K. Subban ($9 million), Shea Weber ($7.8), Dustin Byfuglien ($7.6) and Ryan Suter ($7.53).
It's also believed to be the richest second contract overall given to a defenseman.
Ekblad, the No. 1 draft pick in 2014, won the Calder Trophy that season with 12 goals and 29 points to go with a plus-12 rating while averaging 21 minutes, 49 seconds on the ice per game. He made the All-Star team as an injury replacement and recorded four assists.
Ekblad followed his rookie season with another All-Star berth and he finished with 15 goals and 36 points. He earned a plus-18 ice rating in 21:41 per game on the ice. In six playoff games Ekblad had an assist and a 0 rating in 25:37 ice time. He usually defends the opponent's top line and plays a huge role on both special teams.
The Panthers are also attempting to tie up forward Jonathan Huberdeau, 23, the 2012-13 Calder Trophy recipient, on a long-term deal as well as forward Reilly Smith. Both would be RFAs after next season.
Huberdeau scored a career-high 20 goals with 59 points and a plus-17 rating. Smith, 25, scored 25 goals and 50 points. They also will certainly lock up blossoming center Vincent Trocheck, 22, a restricted free agent, in the nearby future.
Earlier this week, Panthers general manager Tom Rowe was asked about the negotiations with Ekblad and he said, "he's not going anywhere."
They are expected to sign two free-agent forwards Friday to bolster secondary scoring. They're content with their top two lines but Rowe and coach Gerard Gallant believe the first-round playoff loss to the Islanders was due to a poor power play and a toothless third line.
