Latest news with #StanleyCup
Time of India
35 minutes ago
- Sport
- Time of India
NHL Trade Rumors: Insider drops hint Aaron Ekblad may soon be playing for Columbus blue jackets
NHL Trade Rumors: Insider drops hint Aaron Ekblad may soon be playing for Columbus blue jackets (Image via getty) An interesting trade might be coming for Aaron Ekblad. On the latest DFO Rundown, NHL insider Frank Seravalli hinted that the Florida Panthers star defenseman 'could end up in Columbus. ' The idea has fans talking and raises big questions about Ekblad's next move. Aaron Ekblad linked to Columbus by Frank Seravalli On June 26, 2025, Frank Seravalli spoke during the Daily Faceoff Rundown that Aaron Ekblad 'could end up in Columbus.' Ekblad, 29, is a top‑four right‑shot defenseman and as a two‑time Stanley Cup winner, he remains a hot prospect. With Ekblad's contract likely to expire July 1, Seravalli said multiple teams are watching him closely, including the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Jackets currently have around $40 million in cap space, which gives them room to make a major signing or trade in free agency . Ekblad spent his entire NHL career with the Florida Panthers since being the first overall pick in 2014. Last season he scored 33 points in 56 games and helped lead Florida to back‑to‑back Stanley Cup wins in 2024 and 2025 (). He missed 20 games recently due to a PED suspension, but remains highly regarded for his size, skill, and experience . by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like After Losing Weight Kevin James Looks Like A Model 33 Bridges Undo Aaron Ekblad deal talk sparks debate over long term fit Talk of Ekblad possibly ending up in Columbus has stirred conversation among fans and experts. Some believe his offensive game and championship pedigree would boost the Blue Jackets' defence. Others worry about his $7.8 million AAV cap hit and potential injury history. Scott Wheeler of The Athletic flagged Ekblad as likely headed to free agency and noted the Panthers may struggle to match his expected value. Meanwhile, Sports Journalist Cole Shelton at said, 'I think everyone has spent a lot of time wondering what Aaron Ekblad might look like in a Toronto Maple Leafs uniform,' s howing how multiple teams are weighing in. Also Read: NHL Trade Rumors: Connor McDavid Not Expected To Commit Long Term To Oilers After 2026 With Ekblad's no‑trade protection ending in July and Columbus holding enough space to make a strong offer, this could be one of the most watched free agent signings of the summer. If it happens, it would make a big splash for both Ekblad's future and Columbus's defense lineup. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
New York Times
37 minutes ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Panthers re-sign Sam Bennett to 8-year, $8 million AAV contract extension: Source
Sam Bennett has re-signed with the Florida Panthers. His contract is for eight seasons with an $8 million AAV, according to a league source. A pivotal player for the Panthers' back-to-back Stanley Cup championship teams, Bennett won the 2025 Conn Smythe Trophy as postseason MVP on the strength of 15 goals, including 13 on the road. He scored five goals in the Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers. EIGHT MORE YEARS. 📝 » — Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) June 27, 2025 Bennett has scored 27 goals for the Panthers on their runs to the Cup Final each of the last three postseasons. Bennett, 29, has scored 95 goals and 196 points in 289 regular-season games with the Panthers, who acquired him in a trade with the Calgary Flames in April 2021. Each of his four seasons with at least 20 goals has come in Florida. His previous contract, a four-year deal worth $4.425 million annually, was inked in summer 2021, soon after he joined Florida.
Yahoo
38 minutes ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Playoff MVP Sam Bennett agrees on 8-year, $64 million contract to stay with Florida Panthers
Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner (74) stops Florida Panthers' Sam Bennett (9) during the second period in Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final in Sunrise, Fla., Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP) NHL commissioner Gary Bettman presents the Conn Smythe Trophy to Sam Bennett after defeating the Edmonton Oilers in Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final Tuesday, June 17, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett lifts the Stanley Cup after defeating the Edmonton Oilers in Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final Tuesday, June 17, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) Florida Panthers' Sam Bennett (9) raises the Stanley Cup after defeating the Edmonton Oilers in Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final in Sunrise, Fla., Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP) Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner (74) stops Florida Panthers' Sam Bennett (9) during the second period in Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final in Sunrise, Fla., Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP) NHL commissioner Gary Bettman presents the Conn Smythe Trophy to Sam Bennett after defeating the Edmonton Oilers in Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final Tuesday, June 17, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett lifts the Stanley Cup after defeating the Edmonton Oilers in Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final Tuesday, June 17, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) Florida Panthers' Sam Bennett (9) raises the Stanley Cup after defeating the Edmonton Oilers in Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final in Sunrise, Fla., Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP) SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Sam Bennett walked to the front of the stage at the Florida Panthers' latest Stanley Cup championship parade, and before he could even speak the crowd began serenading him with their request. 'Eight more years! Eight more years!' they chanted, over and over. Advertisement They got their wish. Bennett — who led the NHL with 15 goals in this year's playoffs and became the first Panthers player ever to score that many in a single postseason — is staying with the back-to-back Stanley Cup champions. He and Florida agreed Friday to a new eight-year contract worth $64 million, or $8 million per season. 'Sam is a special player who has mastered a unique blend of skill and physicality in his game, becoming one of the most impactful postseason performers of his generation,' Panthers general manager and hockey operations president Bill Zito said. 'He played an integral role in our two Stanley Cup championships, earning the franchise's first Conn Smythe trophy and is a dedicated contributor to our South Florida community off the ice. We are thrilled that he will continue his career with the Panthers.' Bennett was the Conn Smythe Trophy winner as MVP of the playoffs, the first Florida player to ever win that award. The last time a Conn Smythe winner didn't open the following season with the same team he had that playoff run with was 1997, when goaltender Mike Vernon helped Detroit win that year's Cup — and then the Red Wings traded him to San Jose that summer. Advertisement It is the first of three big decisions that the Panthers have been waiting on heading into free agency, the others being what forward Brad Marchand — a trade deadline pickup who became an enormous part of the run to this Cup — and defenseman Aaron Ekblad will do going forward. The Bennett signing is another huge move by general manager and hockey operations president Bill Zito, who now has eight players — all of them key parts of the team — under contract with the Panthers through at least the 2029-30 season. Bennett joins Aleksander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Reinhart, Carter Verhaeghe, Anton Lundell, Seth Jones and Gustav Forsling on that list. The raise is a massive one for Bennett, who just finished the final year of a four-year contract that paid him just under $18 million. He had a postseason like almost none other; the only other player to have at least 15 goals and 48 penalty minutes in the same playoff run was Pittsburgh's Kevin Stevens in 1991. He had given indications throughout this offseason process — including at a nightclub during the Panthers' days-long initial Cup celebration — that he intended to remain in Florida, but nothing got officially done until Friday. Bennett is coming off perhaps his finest season, with 25 goals and 26 assists in the regular season for a career-best 51 points. ___ AP NHL:
Winnipeg Free Press
39 minutes ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Playoff MVP Sam Bennett agrees on 8-year, $64 million contract to stay with Florida Panthers
SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Sam Bennett walked to the front of the stage at the Florida Panthers' latest Stanley Cup championship parade, and before he could even speak the crowd began serenading him with their request. 'Eight more years! Eight more years!' they chanted, over and over. They got their wish. Bennett — who led the NHL with 15 goals in this year's playoffs and became the first Panthers player ever to score that many in a single postseason — is staying with the back-to-back Stanley Cup champions. He and Florida agreed Friday to a new eight-year contract worth $64 million, or $8 million per season. 'Sam is a special player who has mastered a unique blend of skill and physicality in his game, becoming one of the most impactful postseason performers of his generation,' Panthers general manager and hockey operations president Bill Zito said. 'He played an integral role in our two Stanley Cup championships, earning the franchise's first Conn Smythe trophy and is a dedicated contributor to our South Florida community off the ice. We are thrilled that he will continue his career with the Panthers.' Bennett was the Conn Smythe Trophy winner as MVP of the playoffs, the first Florida player to ever win that award. The last time a Conn Smythe winner didn't open the following season with the same team he had that playoff run with was 1997, when goaltender Mike Vernon helped Detroit win that year's Cup — and then the Red Wings traded him to San Jose that summer. It is the first of three big decisions that the Panthers have been waiting on heading into free agency, the others being what forward Brad Marchand — a trade deadline pickup who became an enormous part of the run to this Cup — and defenseman Aaron Ekblad will do going forward. The Bennett signing is another huge move by general manager and hockey operations president Bill Zito, who now has eight players — all of them key parts of the team — under contract with the Panthers through at least the 2029-30 season. Bennett joins Aleksander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Reinhart, Carter Verhaeghe, Anton Lundell, Seth Jones and Gustav Forsling on that list. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. The raise is a massive one for Bennett, who just finished the final year of a four-year contract that paid him just under $18 million. He had a postseason like almost none other; the only other player to have at least 15 goals and 48 penalty minutes in the same playoff run was Pittsburgh's Kevin Stevens in 1991. He had given indications throughout this offseason process — including at a nightclub during the Panthers' days-long initial Cup celebration — that he intended to remain in Florida, but nothing got officially done until Friday. Bennett is coming off perhaps his finest season, with 25 goals and 26 assists in the regular season for a career-best 51 points. ___ AP NHL:
Fox Sports
41 minutes ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Playoff MVP Sam Bennett agrees on 8-year, $64 million contract to stay with Florida Panthers
Associated Press SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Sam Bennett walked to the front of the stage at the Florida Panthers' latest Stanley Cup championship parade, and before he could even speak the crowd began serenading him with their request. 'Eight more years! Eight more years!' they chanted, over and over. They got their wish. Bennett — who led the NHL with 15 goals in this year's playoffs and became the first Panthers player ever to score that many in a single postseason — is staying with the back-to-back Stanley Cup champions. He and Florida agreed Friday to a new eight-year contract worth $64 million, or $8 million per season. 'Sam is a special player who has mastered a unique blend of skill and physicality in his game, becoming one of the most impactful postseason performers of his generation,' Panthers general manager and hockey operations president Bill Zito said. 'He played an integral role in our two Stanley Cup championships, earning the franchise's first Conn Smythe trophy and is a dedicated contributor to our South Florida community off the ice. We are thrilled that he will continue his career with the Panthers.' Bennett was the Conn Smythe Trophy winner as MVP of the playoffs, the first Florida player to ever win that award. The last time a Conn Smythe winner didn't open the following season with the same team he had that playoff run with was 1997, when goaltender Mike Vernon helped Detroit win that year's Cup — and then the Red Wings traded him to San Jose that summer. It is the first of three big decisions that the Panthers have been waiting on heading into free agency, the others being what forward Brad Marchand — a trade deadline pickup who became an enormous part of the run to this Cup — and defenseman Aaron Ekblad will do going forward. The Bennett signing is another huge move by general manager and hockey operations president Bill Zito, who now has eight players — all of them key parts of the team — under contract with the Panthers through at least the 2029-30 season. Bennett joins Aleksander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Reinhart, Carter Verhaeghe, Anton Lundell, Seth Jones and Gustav Forsling on that list. The raise is a massive one for Bennett, who just finished the final year of a four-year contract that paid him just under $18 million. He had a postseason like almost none other; the only other player to have at least 15 goals and 48 penalty minutes in the same playoff run was Pittsburgh's Kevin Stevens in 1991. He had given indications throughout this offseason process — including at a nightclub during the Panthers' days-long initial Cup celebration — that he intended to remain in Florida, but nothing got officially done until Friday. Bennett is coming off perhaps his finest season, with 25 goals and 26 assists in the regular season for a career-best 51 points. ___ AP NHL:
