Ekblad was expected to be a highly desired commodity in Free Agency on July 1st, but the Panthers have locked him up to an eight-year contract extension worth $6.1 million AAV. The 29-year-old Ekblad was drafted first overall in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft and has spent the entirety of his career with Florida. Ekblad had 380 points (118G / 262A) in 732 career games.
One of the biggest expected off-season free agents will not be hitting the open market after Florida announced Friday that they have signed Sam Bennett to an eight-year, $64 million contract extension ($8 million AAV). The 29-year-old is coming off an impressive Conn Smythe-winning playoff performance, with 15 goals, 22 points and a +6 plus/minus in 23 games played.
Florida acquired its new backup goaltender for the upcoming 2025-26 season on Thursday after picking up Daniil Tarasov from Columbus for a 2025 5th-round pick (160th overall). The 26-year-old, whose dad has ties back in Russia with Sergei Bobrovsky, struggled in 2024-25 with the Blue Jackets, posting an ugly 7-10-2 record alongside his 3.54 GAA and .881 SV%.
The Panthers will of course turn to Bobrovsky between the pipes when they look to etch their names on the Stanley Cup for the second consecutive season on Tuesday. Bobrovsky turned in another solid performance in Game 5, stopping 19 of the 21 shots he faced enroute to the 5-2 victory. The two-time Vezina Trophy winner has been a reliable backstop all post-season long for Florida, posting a .912 SV% and 2.26 GAA across 22 appearances. Bobrovsky and the Panthers enter action on Tuesday at -165 on the money line.
After allowing three or fewer goals in nine straight (7-2), posting a stellar .944 SV%, Bobrovsky has allowed four or more in three of four games (2-2) to start the Stanley Cup Finals against the Edmonton Oilers, posting a .913 SV%. The 36-year-old Bobrovsky has a 2.27 GAA and .913 SV% in 21 games this postseason (14-7).
Bobrovsky allowed one goal on 33 shots in the Panthers' 6-1 win in Game 3. Bobrovsky has been really sharp in the series, stopping 116 of the 125 shots that he's faced (.928 SV%) and will look to backstop the Panthers to a commanding 3-1 series lead on Thursday. Florida enter play as -142 home favourites.
Bobrovsky allowed four goals on 46 shots in the Panthers' 5-4 double overtime win over the Oilers in Game 2. Bobrovsky posted identical stat lines in Games 1 and 2, giving him a .913 SV% in the series so far. In 19 postseason starts, Bobrovsky sits at 13-6 with a 2.21 GAA, .912 SV%, three shutouts and 10.5 GSAx.
Boqvist played in both Games 1 and 2, failing to record a point with just one shot on goal and four hits in 8:20 TOI/gm. AJ Greer (lower-body) will return to the lineup to replace Boqvist on the Panthers' fourth line.
Greer missed Games 1 and 2 but will replace Jesper Boqvist in the lineup for Game 3 vs. the Oilers. Greer brings a physical presence to the Panthers' fourth line, averaging 3.75 hits per game in the postseason, but has just three points (2G / 1A).
Bobrovsky allowed four goals on 46 shots in the Panthers' 5-4 double overtime win over the Oilers in Game 2. Bobrovsky posted identical stat lines in Games 1 and 2, giving him a .913 SV% in the series so far. In 19 postseason starts, Bobrovsky sits at 13-6 with a 2.21 GAA, .912 SV%, three shutouts and 10.5 GSAx.
Bobrovsky was peppered in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final, allowing four goals on 46 shots against (.913 SV%) in an overtime losing effort, but will look to right the ship and even the series in Edmonton for Game 2 on Friday. The 36-year-old has produced Vezina-like numbers throughout the playoffs so far, with his 12-6-0 record, 2.17 GAA, .912 SV% and three shutouts. He will look to even the series on Friday and slow down a red-hot Oilers squad that has won its last five games.
Greer missed Game 1 due to a lower-body injury and, despite being almost ready to return, will remain out for Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final as Jesper Boqvist continues to occupy his spot in the lineup. The 28-year-old Greer had two goals and three points in 12 games prior to his injury.
Bobrovsky has been spectacular during the Panthers' postseason run, going 12-5 with 2.11 GAA, .912 SV%, three shutouts and 8.5 goals saved above expected. Unsurprisingly, he will start Game 1 vs. the Oilers, who he was 4-3 with a 2.67 GAA, .899 SV% and one shutout against in the 2024 Stanley Cup Final.
Despite having three points in two games in the Eastern Conference Final, Jesper Boqvist will be the odd man out of Florida's lineup as Sam Reinhart returns from a lower-body injury. Boqvist has been solid when called upon throughout the playoffs, with two goals, five points and six SOG through 11 games played.
Bobrovsky snapped his four-game winning streak after allowing one goal on 26 shots against (.962 SV%) in Florida's Game 4 loss and will return to the crease for Game 5 in Carolina on Wednesday. The 36-year-old Russian netminder has excelled this postseason with his 2.05 GAA, .914 SV% and 11-5-0 record. He will head to Raleigh to attempt to close out the Hurricanes in five games and reach the Stanley Cup Final for a third straight season.
Balinskis appeared in his first game in 21 days for Florida's Game 4 victory, but is expected to be a healthy scratch for Game 5 as Niko Mikkola returns from injury to the lineup. The 28-year-old has only appeared in five playoff games during Florida's current run, but has a goal and a +4 plus/minus.
Greer missed Florida's Game 4 loss due to an undisclosed injury but will return to the lineup for Game 5 on Wednesday. The 28-year-old is expected to replace Nico Sturm on Florida's 4th line and has two goals and three points in 11 games played throughout the playoffs.
