There was a mix of surprise and admiration among fans tracking the Florida Panthers’ free agency moves this offseason. Remarkably, general manager Bill Jeet succeeded in retaining the team’s three major pending unrestricted free agents: Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad, and Brad Marchand. Jeet gave credit where it was due, praising the players for choosing to stay with the Panthers—some likely at a financial sacrifice—rather than entering the open market.
Bennett inked an eight-year deal with an average annual value (AAV) of $8 million, Ekblad agreed to $48.8 million over eight years with a $6.1 million AAV, and Marchand signed a six-year contract worth $31.5 million, carrying a $5.25 million AAV. The most controversial contract is Marchand’s. While following NHL rules, skepticism exists mainly due to Marchand being 43 at the contract’s end, raising questions about the likelihood of a player maintaining a forward position at that age. David Alter from Toronto voiced this concern on social media, highlighting that no forward has played in the NHL at 43 since Jaromir Jagr in the 2017-2018 season.
Although it’s not impossible for a player to compete at 43, it’s highly uncommon given the physical demands of hockey, which requires both strength and endurance alongside agility. The odds are that Marchand will retire before reaching 43. If he does retire while healthy, he won’t receive the remaining money from his contract, but if injury forces him out, the Panthers can place him on long-term injured reserve (LTIR), allowing them to continue paying him without impacting the team’s salary cap.
The contract is structured so Marchand earns $13.5 million in the first two years, with only $1 million as an annual base salary and the rest paid as signature bonuses. This season includes a $6.5 million bonus, next season $5 million, and $3.5 million annually for the remaining four years. Thanks to Puckpedia, fans can examine the detailed financial breakdown of the deal.
Ultimately, the true value of Marchand’s contract will be determined by how much he plays and earns over time. Meanwhile, debates will persist about whether deals like this should be allowed under NHL regulations, as players age differently, making it a challenging rule to enforce.
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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Fan Take: This development is significant for hockey fans because it highlights the evolving nature of player contracts and team strategies in managing aging veterans. How the Panthers and Marchand navigate this deal could set important precedents for future NHL contracts and salary cap management.
