Breaking: Florida Panthers Can’t Let This Key Star Go

August 27, 2024 Kerry Will other 0

Aaron Ekblad’s Future with the Florida Panthers

The Florida Panthers are preparing to defend their first Stanley Cup championship, but one of the biggest questions surrounding the team is the future of star defenseman Aaron Ekblad. As Ekblad enters the final year of his contract, the Panthers must decide whether to sign him to a long-term extension or potentially trade him before he hits free agency in 2025.

Ekblad, the first overall pick by the Panthers in 2014, has been a stalwart on their blue line since joining the team in 2015. Now 28 years old, he is seeking another lucrative, long-term deal after this season. However, his injury history, which includes missing significant time in recent seasons, has raised concerns about his long-term durability.

Despite the persistent trade rumors, the sense is that the Panthers may wait until later in the season or after to address Ekblad’s contract situation. While the temptation may be to trade him rather than risk losing him for nothing in free agency, general manager Bill Zito must resist this urge if the team wants to repeat as Stanley Cup champions.

The Panthers have a rare opportunity to become the third team in the last 10 years to win back-to-back Stanley Cups, joining the Tampa Bay Lightning and Pittsburgh Penguins. With their core group largely intact, the biggest obstacle to their success will be the performance of their defense, which heavily relies on a healthy and motivated Ekblad.

As the team’s only dependable right-handed defenseman following the departure of Brandon Montour, Ekblad is expected to return to his usual role as a top-pairing defenseman playing in all situations. If he can stay healthy and regain his form, he could be the difference-maker for the Panthers in their quest for a repeat championship.

The Panthers must resist the temptation to trade Ekblad out of fear and instead focus on the upcoming season. If they want to hoist the Stanley Cup again, keeping Ekblad in the fold and addressing his contract after the season is the best path forward.

Sam Reinhart of the Panthers is expected to retreat.

The Florida Panthers are basking in the glory of their recent Stanley Cup championship as they gear up for the 2024 season. While the roster has undergone some changes, the core group remains intact and is ready to defend their title.

Key Offseason Moves.

A significant focus of the Panthers’ offseason was securing a new contract for scoring winger Sam Reinhart. After an impressive season in which he netted 57 goals and had a standout postseason, Reinhart was due for a lucrative extension. The Panthers and Reinhart ultimately reached an agreement on an eight-year contract, ensuring he will stay in Florida for the foreseeable future.

With this new deal in place, the Panthers have high expectations for Reinhart to maintain his scoring prowess. However, some analysts speculate that he may experience a decline following his contract signing. ESPN recently released their fantasy hockey rankings for the 2025 season, projecting a less favorable outlook for Reinhart compared to his teammate Matthew Tkachuk. They noted that Reinhart’s remarkable 24.5 shooting percentage last season was unsustainable, leading to concerns about his goal-scoring potential moving forward.

Realistic Expectations.

While ESPN’s outlook may seem overly pessimistic, it reflects a realistic assessment of Reinhart’s career trajectory. Since becoming a full-time NHL player in the 2015-2016 season, Reinhart has had five seasons with 20 to 25 goals, two seasons with over 30 goals, and one season exceeding 40 goals. Although he is undoubtedly one of the more consistent scorers in the league, there is little evidence to suggest he can consistently surpass the 30-goal mark at this stage in his career.

Despite these concerns, Reinhart remains a crucial asset for the Panthers. As he approaches his 29th birthday during the upcoming season, he is determined to prove his doubters wrong and aim for another 50-goal season.

Conclusion

As the Panthers prepare for the new season, all eyes will be on Sam Reinhart and his performance following his contract extension. While there are questions about his scoring potential, his contributions will be vital as the team looks to replicate their championship success. Fans will be eager to see how Reinhart responds to the challenges ahead and whether he can continue to be a key player for the Panthers in their quest for another Stanley Cup.

Matthew Tkachuk of the Panthers recreates a classic photo with Jason Tatum.

Childhood Friends Turned Champions.

Throughout their respective championship runs, Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk and Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum were cheering each other on every step of the way. The two were childhood friends while attending Chaminade College Preparatory School, an independent Catholic school for boys in grades 6-12 in St. Louis.

Tkachuk left after ninth grade to join the United States National Development Program, while Tatum graduated in 2016 and had his No. 22 jersey retired by the school’s basketball team[4]. Despite their different paths, the two remain very close to this day and were thrilled to see each other win titles less than a week apart[1][2][3].

“Yeah it’s actually really cool when you think about it,” Tkachuk said at Stanley Cup Final Media Day in June. “Everyone from St. Louis, whether they were going to watch or not, with having both of us in, I’d say there’s a lot of people, especially the kids we grew up with and families and people who know us, they’re pulling for both teams. It’s super cool to have that support back home for not only myself, but for the Celtics as well.”[4]

Reunion in St. Louis.

On Sunday, the two reunited in their old stomping grounds of St. Louis, presumably their first time since becoming champions in June. The two threw out the ceremonial first pitch before Sunday’s St. Louis Cardinals game and took the chance to recreate the iconic photo of them together on the school bus[1]. They even got their classmate Jacob, who was in the background of the original photo, in on the fun as well.

The bond between Tatum and Tkachuk serves as a heartwarming reminder of the power of friendship and the joy of supporting one another’s dreams. As they continue to excel in their respective sports, their shared history and success will forever link them together, both as champions and as lifelong friends.

Tatum arrived with the Larry O’Brien Trophy, whereas Tkachuk did not, having taken the Stanley Cup to St. Louis the previous month. Rather, Tkachuk brought the legendary championship belt he wore during the Stanley Cup parade of the Panthers.

Tkachuk’s Childhood and Move to St. Louis.

While Matthew Tkachuk was born in Scottsdale, Arizona in 1997 while his father Keith played for the Phoenix Coyotes, he spent most of his childhood in St. Louis after his dad was traded to the Blues in 2001. Tkachuk attended elementary school at Villa Duchesne and completed grades 6-9 at Chaminade College Preparatory School, where he was classmates with Jayson Tatum.

Tkachuk’s Impact on the Panthers.

Since being acquired by the Florida Panthers in a blockbuster 2022 trade, Tkachuk has been instrumental in transforming the franchise[2]. Under his leadership, the Panthers have made back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals appearances, culminating in their first championship in 2024. Tkachuk’s outstanding play and presence in the locker room have been key factors in the team’s remarkable turnaround.

Reunion with Childhood Friend Tatum.

In June 2024, Tkachuk and Tatum, who had been childhood friends in St. Louis, both won championships with their respective teams, the Panthers and Boston Celtics[3][4][5]. The two reunited in St. Louis in August to recreate a famous photo from their school bus days, this time holding their championship trophies[3][4]. The heartwarming reunion highlighted the enduring friendship between the two athletes and their shared success in reaching the pinnacle of their sports.

The Panthers are the Most Cheap Team.

Attending NHL games can be quite expensive, but that’s not the case for every team. The defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers stand out by offering one of the most affordable game day experiences in the league.

Recently, Action Network published a ranking of NHL arenas based on the total cost for a family of four to attend a game. This cost includes four general admission tickets (factoring in child admission policies), two beers, two soft drinks, four hot dogs, and parking. The prices were sourced from Team Marketing Report’s 2023-24 NHL Fan Cost Index.

According to this analysis, Florida’s Amerant Bank Arena boasts the lowest total cost among NHL venues at $298.91, which is over 30% lower than the average arena.

“The Amerant Bank Arena provides a family-friendly atmosphere at an affordable price,” said Ben Mendelowitz from Action Network. “With a total cost of $298.91, it is $133.11 below the NHL average. It’s one of only two arenas with a total cost under $300, and it’s the only venue that offers four tickets for less than $200.”

However, it’s important to note that Mullett Arena, the former home of the Arizona Coyotes, had a lower total cost of $285.36. Since the Coyotes have relocated and become the Utah Hockey Club, Mullett Arena is no longer considered a current venue.

In Florida, the Amerant Bank Arena excels by offering the lowest price for four tickets in the league at $194.56. However, the concessions at this venue are among the most expensive in the NHL. The cost for four hot dogs is $32, tying for the highest in the league, and parking costs $32.35, making it the second-most expensive after the New York Islanders’ UBS Arena.

Completing the top five most affordable arenas are the Ottawa Senators’ Canadian Tire Centre ($306.88 total cost), the Buffalo Sabres’ KeyBank Center ($308.58), and the Columbus Blue Jackets’ Nationwide Arena ($326.82).

Named NHL’s Best Center is Oilers Superstar.

It was a clear decision from the beginning, as NHL Network has named Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid the top center in the league. In their rankings of the best players by position, there was little debate over who deserved the title of best center.

This marks McDavid’s eighth consecutive year receiving this honor from NHL Network, and he continues to improve each season. Before embarking on a record-setting playoff run, McDavid recorded an impressive 132 points (32 goals and 100 assists) in 76 games during the 2023-24 season.

Connor McDavid finished third in the Hart Trophy voting for the NHL’s most valuable player, an award he has previously won three times. While his regular season performance was already exceptional, his postseason play may have been even more impressive.

The Edmonton Oilers made a remarkable run to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final after initially falling behind 3-0 to the Florida Panthers. Despite losing in the Finals, McDavid was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP.

In 25 playoff games, McDavid posted numbers reminiscent of Wayne Gretzky, scoring eight goals and setting a record with 34 assists for a total of 42 points. This level of production ranks him fourth all-time for points in a single postseason.

Although there are many talented centers in the NHL, none can match the skill and output that McDavid consistently delivers.

Teammate Leon Draisaitl also made the NHL Network’s top 20 list, with the Oilers being one of four teams to have multiple centers represented. The Pittsburgh Penguins, New Jersey Devils, and Vancouver Canucks also featured two centers each.

When NHL Network releases its overall top players list, it’s highly likely that McDavid will once again be at the top.

 

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