The Ottawa Senators have been watching the rest of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs after being eliminated by the Toronto Maple Leafs in six games in the first round.
The Senators and the rest of the NHL have been watching a rematch in the 2025 Stanley Cup Finals between the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers. At the moment, the Panthers lead the series 3-2 and are one win away from winning back-to-back Stanley Cups.
When the Stanley Cup Finals conclude, the Panthers will have important free agents on whether or not to re-sign. Two of which are having huge playoff performances that can potentially help the Senators sign of of the Panthers' top free agents.
Playoff performances from future UFAs Marchand and Bennett can help Sens try and sign Ekblad
Brad Marchand and Sam Bennett are two of Florida's most important free agents this Summer. Both of them have been important pieces in not only Florida's playoff run, but in the Stanley Cup Final.
Another important free agent the Panthers have is defenseman Aaron Ekblad. In May, there were rumors that the Senators were linked to signing Ekblad in search of wanting a right handed defenseman.
The playoff performances from Marchand and Bennett can put the Panthers in a tough position of who to re-sign this Summer. Marchand and Bennett are both expected to receive solid contracts for the players they are and production they've had in Florida.
Without Marchand and Bennett on the same team, the chances the Panthers can be one win away from winning another Stanley Cup could be unlikely. If Marchand wins a Stanley Cup after being traded to Florida by the Boston Bruins at this year's trade deadline, it could be hard for him to not re-sign with the talent and recent playoff success Florida has accomplished.
If the Panthers were to re-sign both Marchand and Bennett at high salaries this Summer, it can put the team in a difficult position of re-signing Ekblad. According to PuckPedia, the Panthers have $19 milion in cap space.
The chances Florida can re-sign Marchand, Bennett and Ekblad at $19 million is very unlikely. That is where the Senators can have a chance to sign Ekblad due to the playoff performances of Marchand and Bennett.
The Senators have over $15 million in cap space once they extended defenseman Tyler Kleven to a two-year extension. Although the Senators have defensive depth, signing Ekblad could still be a solid move in free agency.
At 29 years old, Ekblad has been an important piece of the Panthers since being drafted first overall in the 2014 NHL Draft. Ekblad started his NHL career off strong by winning the 2015 Calder Trophy.
In 732 career games, Ekblad has recorded 380 points with an impressive +96 rating. Ekblad has made his presence known defensively and his defense has helped the Panthers reach the Stanley Cup Finals for the past three years.
Ekblad and the Panthers are one win away from winning back-to-back Stanley Cups against the Oilers with Game 6 being tomorrow night at 8 p.m. ET. In the 2025 playoffs, Ekblad has recorded 12 points with a +6 rating.
While Ekblad could be a pricey player to sign, his impact has been a solid one for the Panthers. The Senators might have to pay to sign Ekblad around $8-9 million per year for years to come if they were to, but the position the Panthers are in with Marchand and Bennett playing incredibly well in the playoffs could put them in a rough position to re-sign Ekblad.
That is where the Senators can make a big splash by signing Ekblad. Throughout this free agency, Ekblad will have eyes all on him. However, a right-handed defenseman is something the Senators can use with Nick Jensen having off-season surgery and putting concern on the defense. That is where signing Ekblad can help, and there's no guarantee Jensen will return as his contract runs out after 2026.