Offseason Checklist: Florida Panthers

Bill Zito Hopeful Florida Panthers Can Sign Ekblad and Marchand

FORT LAUDERDALE — Florida Panthers general manager said Saturday he remains hopeful that pending free agents Aaron Ekblad and Brad Marchand will remain with the team moving forward. A day after signing Sam Bennett to an eight-year deal worth $64 million and a $8 million annual cap hit, Zito refuted a thought that the center was Florida’s top free agent priority. “It got done first, but I would say that we’ve been discussing all of them,” Zito sa…

Offseason Checklist: Florida Panthers

The offseason has arrived with the draft now complete and free agency fast approaching.  Accordingly, it’s time to look at what each team needs to accomplish this summer.  We wrap up our series with a look at the Stanley Cup-winning Panthers. Late in the regular season, things weren’t looking great for Florida.  The team was banged up and underachieving, slipping to third in the Atlantic Division, finishing just one point ahead of Ottawa who occ…