Florida Panthers
Panthers Signing Oliver Ekman-Larsson to 1-Year Deal
Defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson is expected to sign a one-year deal with the Florida Panthers.
Veteran defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson, recently bought out by the Vancouver Canucks, is reportedly heading to the Florida Panthers. According to sources such as TSN’s Darren Dreger and CHEK’s Rick Dhaliwal, Ekman-Larsson is expected to sign a one-year contract with the Panthers worth $2.25 million.
With the Panthers facing injuries to Aaron Ekblad and Brandon Montour, the 31-year-old defenseman is likely to take on the role of power play quarterback. This move comes as Florida had only four defensemen under contract, and Ekman-Larsson is set to become a key figure on the left side until Ekblad and Montour return from their injuries. With ample cap space, the Panthers are making strategic moves to bolster their roster for the upcoming season.
General manager Bill Zito stated that while the team aims to secure players on shorter-term contracts, there is still a possibility for UFAs Radko Gudas and Lucas Carlsson to receive offers to return to the Panthers. Gudas has proven his value as a shutdown defender since joining the team in 2020, showcasing his physicality with over 200 penalty minutes in a bottom-pairing role. On the other hand, Carlsson is expected to generate substantial interest from NHL teams after an impressive season with the Charlotte Checkers, where he led all AHL defensemen in goals.
The Panthers are strategically navigating free agency to strengthen their defense and address the challenges posed by injuries, aiming to build a competitive and resilient team for the upcoming season. After the Ekman-Larsson deal, the Panthers have $8,012,499 in cap space. With LTIR Candidates, it’s around $12,512,499.
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