Aaron Ekblad Expects New Panthers Contract in 2025 NHL Free Agency, 'It's Home'

Aaron Ekblad isn't planning on leaving the Florida Panthers in free agency during the 2025 offseason.

"I've spent 11 years here. ... It's home, and I expect it to be home," Ekblad said, per Jameson Olive of FloridaPanthers.com.

The veteran defenseman also confirmed that discussions surrounding a new deal have started.

"Conversations have been had," Ekblad revealed, via Olive. "Obviously, nothing material yet, but they'll be working on it. Things seem to come down to the last minute here."

He's served as a key piece on a Florida squad that has hoisted the Stanley Cup in two straight years.

Ekblad has spent his entire career with the Panthers, making his debut during the 2014-15 season. Now, he's set to enter free agency after playing out an eight-year, $60 million contract extension that he signed with Florida in 2016.

The Panthers could be hesitant to hand Ekblad another long-term deal given his availability as of late, failing to reach 60 regular-season games played in each of the past two seasons.

He recorded 33 points in 56 games during his 2024-25 campaign, but was limited by injuries as well as a 20-game suspension for allegedly violating the terms of the NHL Performance Enhancing Substances Program.

Florida will also have to make important decisions on other impending free agents, including Brad Marchand and Sam Bennett.

Still, Panthers general manager Bill Zito was optimistic that the team would be able to re-sign all three players.

"I think we can bring them all back," Zito told TSN's James Duthie following Florida's 2025 Stanley Cup victory.

Ekblad stepped up during the Panthers' latest playoff run, racking up 13 points in 19 games. This included four assists and one goal during Florida's five-game win over the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Final.

While Ekblad doesn't have a new contract with the Panthers yet, he isn't searching for a change of scenery.