Panthers GM Bill Zito may have major trade chip in veteran Aaron Ekblad

"For the Cup-champion Panthers, it's quite difficult to give the 'hot seat' label to any member of the franchise. GM Bill Zito has locked up most of the players who won the championship to at least the upcoming NHL season, but if there is anyone who's somewhat unsettled over the long haul, it's Ekblad, who is entering a contract season in 2024-25 and earning $7.5 million. The Panthers can fit Ekblad under the salary cap ceiling this coming year, but if Zito is being proactive as he often is, moving Ekblad at some point before the next trade deadline makes a lot of sense." Proteau said.

He added, "Zito might be waiting until the NHL's trade deadline to ratchet up the asking price for Ekblad, but it's difficult to envision Ekblad getting a seven or eight-year contract extension with the Panthers. Florida's embarrassment of riches throughout the lineup means very few, if any players are untouchable. And Ekblad – who has a modified no-trade clause allowing him to veto a deal to 12 teams of his choosing – can help choose his own exit route from the Panthers. Now that he's been on a Cup winner, Ekblad doesn't have anything to prove to anyone, but he's still got a long road ahead in his NHL career, and the reality is the rest of his NHL days may not be spent with Florida."