Ekblad signs 8-year, $48.8 million contract to remain with Panthers

Aaron Ekblad signed an eight-year, $48.8 million contract to remain with the Florida Panthers on Monday. It has an average annual value of $6.1 million.

The 29-year-old defenseman had 33 points (three goals, 30 assists) in 56 regular-season games for the Florida Panthers this season. He was suspended for 20 games for violating the terms of the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program.

Ekblad had 13 points (four goals, nine assists) in 19 Stanley Cup Playoff games to help Florida win the Cup for the second straight season.

“It means the world to me,” Ekblad said Tuesday. “Nineteen years is a long time, especially with one franchise, and I have so much pride and still a lot of expectations for my career in these eight years.”

The No. 1 pick by Florida in the 2014 NHL Draft, Ekblad has 380 points (118 goals, 262 assists) in 732 regular-season games and 33 points (eight goals, 25 assists) in 83 postseason games. He is second in games played in Florida history, behind only Aleksander Barkov (804), and is first in goals, assists and points among defensemen in franchise history.

Ekblad also won the Calder Trophy as the NHL's rookie of the year in 2014-15, when he had 39 points (12 goals, 27 assists) in 81 games.

“Aaron is a pillar of our defense who has consistently excelled at both ends of the ice as one of the best defensemen in the NHL over the past decade,” Panthers general manager Bill Zito said. “From a Calder-winning rookie campaign to two Stanley Cup championships, Aaron’s consummate leadership on and off the ice has been integral to our team's success. After cementing his place in Panthers history, we are thrilled that he will continue his career in South Florida.”

On Friday, the Panthers signed Sam Bennett to an eight-year, $64 million contract ($8 million average annual value). Bennett, who won the Conn Smythe Trophy as MVP of the playoffs after scoring 15 postseason goals, could have become a UFA on Tuesday.

“It speaks a lot about the organization and everything that they do for us and how bad guys want to play here,” Ekblad said. “Our practice rink, our game rink, the hotels that we stay in on the road, the food that we eat, the organization does everything for us, so it’s easy to want to stay here.

“And then the culture of winning is just a huge draw to guys; it’s the most important thing. It’s why we play the game. We’ve all been taken care of extremely well. So, I don’t know how many teams in the League have 10 guys locked up for five years, but it’s really cool and there’s a pride factor involved.”

NHL.com independent correspodent George Richards contributed to this report