Marchand is fresh off of helping lead the Panthers to their second straight championship. In his first season with the team after being acquired before the trade deadline, he was a huge part of knocking off the Edmonton Oilers and Connor McDavid for the second straight season in the Stanley Cup Final.

The Panthers are looking at less than $5 million in salary cap space after the Ekblad deal. Most indications are that Marchand will go for more than that after his postseason heroics. Two things could still get a Florida deal across the line for Marchand at $4.5 million per year.

Panthers GM Makes His ‘Preference’ in Brad Marchand-Aaron Ekblad Situation Clear originally appeared on Athlon Sports. After signing Sam Bennett to a long-term deal, Florida Panthers general manager Bill Zito must turn his attention to fellow pending free agents Brad Marchand and Aaron Ekblad.