‘We Wanted To Be Here’

Aaron Ekblad details how there was no hesitation in re-signing with the Florida Panthers as they seek to three-peat as Stanley Cup champs. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Getty Images

Aaron Ekblad will likely end his career with the Florida Panthers.

The Panthers’ second-longest tenured player re-upped with the only franchise he’s ever known this offseason on an eight-year, $48.8 million deal. Despite rumored interest from other teams – including more money – the 29-year-old re-signed with the Panthers ($6.1 million annually) for what was considered less than his market value.

The former Calder Memorial Trophy winner – the NHL’s Rookie of the Year award – details why he decided to re-sign with the Panthers as they seek to three-peat.

“I never made it to free agency, so I’m not sure exactly what was out there,” says Ekblad in a one-on-one interview. “We felt that there was a market for me in other places. But at the end of the day, it was always the Florida Panthers, and we wanted to be here. Whether or not it was discount or not, the important thing was to be a Florida Panther for life.”

For perspective, Ekblad’s previous deal with the Panthers was for eight years and $60 million signed back during the 2016 offseason. Fast forward nearly a decade later when salaries across all sports have skyrocketed and Ekblad is signing for less than he did in 2016.

There are a lot of factors to that, especially when considering the Panthers are now a Stanley Cup powerhouse. In other words, the veteran stars need to take a discount for it to fit under the salary cap to keep the entire core together, which is what general manager Bill Zito has done.

Secondly, Ekblad’s role has changed a bit where he’s one of the many core members. Back in 2016, he was probably considered one of the three young core members of the Panthers alongside Aleksander Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau. Fast forward to now and he’s one of the many core members alongside guys like Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Bennett, Sam Reinhart and Sergei Bobrovsky among countless others.

While the Panthers’ aspirations have changed and their roster has obviously become more loaded with stars, Ekblad is still considered in the prime of his career and considered a key piece of the team. According to NHL insider James Mirtle of The Athletic, the Detroit Red Wings could have offered Ekblad a more lucrative contract. He could have signed for much more than the average annual value of the $6.1 million he signed in Florida.

Ekblad has been around since the days when the Panthers were an afterthought in the NHL universe, which wasn’t too long ago. Florida In a short period of time, they’ve emerged as South Florida’s new favorite sports team.

The Panthers missed the playoffs four times in Ekblad’s first five seasons. The 29-year-old veteran details Florida’s rise as a hockey powerhouse.

“It’s been a whirlwind,” says Ekblad of the franchise’s growth over the past 11 years. “It’s been a long, tough ride for myself, personally, ups and downs with injuries and stuff like that. But extremely proud of the team and the fact that we’re in this condition now is never easy to attain or sustain. We feel that we work hard every day to do that.”

Ekblad says he’s “extremely happy” to be in the position that he’s in. He admits he didn’t expect the Panthers to become the powerhouse they’ve become. That’s not hard to believe considering the Panthers went 26 years (between 1996 and 2022) without winning a playoff series.

“Absolutely,” says Ekblad. “I mean for myself, the goal to play for one team and playing for the Florida Panthers forever wasn’t always something that was a sure thing. The fact that it’s happened for me and and our team now winning two Stanley Cups, I can’t say that I ever expected it. I’m extremely happy and excited to to be in this position.”

Ekblad’s latest contract ends when he’s 37 years old. The intention is to retire as a member of the Panthers, marking 19 total seasons with the club. That would set a record, assuming Barkov doesn’t stay and retire after Ekblad.

When asked what it’s going to take for a three-peat, Ekblad says it’s going to be a lot of “determination and preparation.”

“A lot of heart, determination, preparation,” says Ekblad. “Obviously, a lot of us have been on the ice for two, three-to-four weeks now and in the gym no more than a week or two after the season. It’s important to continue to build on what you have, and we feel we’re in a good position to do so.”

Aaron Ekblad Meets With South Florida Fans At Huey Magoo’s

While the Panthers fan favorite is obviously bracing for another long season as Florida looks to continue their dominance on the ice, he’s keeping busy in the offseason. Ekblad made an appearance at Huey Magoo’s in Boca Raton, Florida, which is located less than 30 mins from the team’s arena at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise.

Ekblad and countless others Panthers players have made multiple public appearances since winning the Stanley Cup, staying active in the community while meeting fans.

“I think you see all the time, a lot of us are out in the community, whether it’s engagement opportunities like this with Huey Magoo’s or charitable experiences or anything that the Florida Panthers Foundation does in the community,” says Ekblad. “We’re obviously proud to be a part of the community, and for myself, potentially 19 seasons with the Florida Panthers. Extremely proud to be a Panther and to be able to do things like this.”

The longtime Panthers veteran hung out with fans, signed autographs and ate some of Huey Magoo’s most-known food staple, their chicken tenders. Unsurprisingly, Ekblad says that’s his favorite item on the menu.

“Chicken tenders,” says Ekblad when asked what his favorite item is. “That’s No. 1 for me, I love it.”