Aaron Ekblad re-signs with 2-time Cup champion Panthers on eve of NHL free agency, AP source says

Defenseman Aaron Ekblad is staying with the Florida Panthers instead of becoming a free agent Ekblad is re-signing with the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions on an eight-year contract worth million according to a person with knowledge of the deal The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Monday because the move had not been declared Ekblad re-signing on a deal that pays him an average of million a season comes after the Panthers also brought back playoff MVP Sam Bennett Ekblad had been making million a year on his last deal and appeared to leave money on the table and give the only NHL organization he has ever been a part of a hometown discount It remains to be seen if they can also keep Brad Marchand before the -year-old winger can hit the open field Tuesday Now Ekblad has been a part of Florida s core since he was the No pick in the draft in With Ekblad Seth Jones and Gustav Forsling all signed long term the top four on defense will be set for the better part of the next decade once Niko Mikkola who has a year left on his current contract is extended In other moves around the NHL the Minnesota Wild got a two-time Stanley Cup champion for nothing on the eve of free agency and the New York Islanders locked up one of their top young players to a long-term contract The Wild acquired winger Vladimir Tarasenko from the Detroit Red Wings for future considerations The Islanders re-signed defenseman Alexander Romanov to an eight-year contract that a person with knowledge of the extension revealed is worth million The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because terms were not disclosed Romanov will count million against the salary cap through the - season Tarasenko has one year left on his contract at a salary cap hit of million He helped Florida win the Cup last year after being a key part of St Louis championship run in The Utah Mammoth also traded young forward Matias Maccelli to Toronto for a conditional third-round pick It turns into a second-rounder in if Maccelli has -plus points and the Maple Leafs make the playoffs next season We appreciate everything that Matias has done for the organization Utah general manager Bill Armstrong mentioned He is a great person consummate professional and we wish him all the best