Will The Panthers Maintain Sam Bennett and Aaron Ekblad
One of the big trades before the NHL Trade Deadline was the Florida Panthers buying defenseman Seth Jones from the Chicago Blackhawks. The Panthers wanted to strengthen the suitable facet of their blue line, and one in all their objectives was to seek out one other right-handed defenseman to go along with Aaron Ekblad.
No person knew that Ekblad would be suspended for 20 games (the ultimate 18 regular-season video games and the primary two playoff video games) a few days after the deadline handed. So, it made sense the Panthers acquired him earlier than the deadline. Many thought Jones would finally be Ekblad’s alternative.
Bear in mind Ekblad has been in trade rumors dating back to final summer time after the Panthers received the Stanley Cup. So there was at all times a possible the Panthers would lose one other defenseman from the cup-winning crew. Florida already misplaced Brandon Montour and Oliver Ekman-Larsson.
NHL Rumors: Sam Bennett and Aaron Ekblad May Have to Take Less if They Want to Stay
Nonetheless, the Panthers may nonetheless preserve Ekblad and doubtlessly Sam Bennett, too, even with the added wage to their books.
Florida Panthers Basic Supervisor Invoice Zito was on SiriusXM NHL Community Radio with Gord Stellick and Scott Laughlin earlier than the NHL Commerce Deadline and was requested about what the Seth Jones commerce meant for him signing Aaron Ekblad and Sam Bennett long-term.
NHLRumors.com Transcriptions
Gord Stellick: “The opposite match, in fact, is the wage cap. And the moment response was, Oh, my God, that’s an enormous chunk. However you have a look at it, it’s mitigated by what Chicago goes to retain. Spencer Knight was making $4.5 million, however nonetheless about becoming in, whether or not it’s Sam Bennett and or Aaron Ekblad on the finish of the yr. Is there a consolation stage that you just’re going to have the ability to do this for one or each?”
Invoice Zito: “Sure, sure, and I don’t suppose this, at the very least from, from my math, which is, you guys can think about, I’ve completed too many occasions. I’m going to finish up with an answer to pi fairly quickly. I’ve completed it a lot. It doesn’t affect these two, so we are able to get it completed.”
Scott Laughlin: “So that you wouldn’t anticipate them to check the market arising July 1th?”
Zito: “No, however I’m probably not going to speak about that, however the acquisition doesn’t preclude us from both one or each.”
NHL Rumors: Could Brad Marchand Stay with the Florida Panthers?
Sam Bennett Talks Resuming
Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet on Saturday Headlines gave a fast replace on Sam Bennett’s contract negotiation with the Florida Panthers.
NHLRumors.com Transcriptions
Ron MacLean: “All proper, Sam Bennett, what’s up?”
Elliotte Friedman: “Yeah. So there’s not lots of enterprise that usually occurs at this level of yr. Issues actually do relax. However Sam Bennett, because it stands proper now, could be one of many greatest free brokers out there on July 1st, if he will get there.
And I don’t need to handicap this, however the phrase within the press field Thursday evening as Florida performed in Toronto was the talks have resumed between Bennett and the Panthers. Once more, I don’t need to handicap it. I don’t need to say someway, however they’re making an attempt, and it’s been an excellent marriage between participant and crew.”
Have you ever subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s new, and we’re simply getting began. Rumor roundups and scorching subjects from across the league.
