The Florida Panthers continue to lock in their championship core, and now they’ve added another massive piece for the long haul. Veteran winger Brad Marchand has agreed to a six-year contract extension with the Panthers, reportedly worth just under $32 million, according to multiple sources.
The 37-year-old Marchand was acquired in a late-season trade from the Boston Bruins this past March after 16 seasons in black and gold, including the last three as captain. His previous eight-year deal with Boston, signed in 2016, expired this offseason. With negotiations for a new contract falling through, the Bruins made the difficult decision to move on — and the Panthers capitalized.
Marchand’s transition to South Florida couldn’t have gone smoother. Injecting experience, grit, and a surprising scoring punch, Marchand quickly became a pivotal part of Florida’s postseason success. He scored a career-high 10 playoff goals along with 10 assists during the Panthers’ run to their second consecutive Stanley Cup title. Six of those goals came during Florida’s 4-2 triumph over the Edmonton Oilers in the Final, solidifying his impact and value.
The extension ensures Marchand’s veteran leadership and clutch scoring will remain in Florida as the team continues to chase dynasty status.
“It’s an incredible group, and I feel like I’ve found a second home here,” Marchand said in a statement released through his agent. “This organization knows how to win, and I’m proud to be a part of it.”
The deal caps off a busy and productive stretch for the Panthers’ front office, who are aggressively ensuring their championship window stays wide open. Florida also re-signed hard-nosed forward Sam Bennett to a multi-year extension on Saturday. Earlier this week, top-pairing defenseman Aaron Ekblad inked an eight-year deal to stay in South Florida.
With these moves, the Panthers now have eight core players signed through at least 2030, including captain Matthew Tkachuk, star winger Sam Reinhart, elite defenseman Seth Jones, and playoff breakout goaltender Spencer Knight.
Florida GM Bill Zito has made it clear that the team is committed to long-term success.
“Championship teams don’t come around often, and when you have one, you do everything you can to keep it together,” Zito said in a press conference Sunday. “Brad’s addition was instrumental to our repeat, and we’re thrilled he’ll be part of our future.”
With Marchand’s signature on the dotted line, the Florida Panthers are not just building off their back-to-back Stanley Cups — they’re doubling down on dominance.
