3 Very Interesting Teams Linked To Panthers' Ekblad In Free Agency

It is looking highly likely that the Florida Panthers are going to extend Sam Bennett, and with the remaining money, won't be able to bring back Aaron Ekblad unless he takes a big discount on account of the many other contracts that have to be signed.

With that said, he is going to be a hot commodity in free agency as David Pagnotta and EJ Hradek reported on NHL Network that the Edmonton Oilers, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Detroit Red Wings are among the teams that will look at signing Ekblad if he becomes a free agent.

Edmonton Oilers

The Oilers are only going to have around $12 million to spend this offseason based on projected cap space. The team still has to fill spots and sign contracts, including Evan Bouchard who deserves a big chunk of that cap space. The timing just doesn't line up right now as many of the current Oilers players' contracts expire after next season and that's when there will be room to make big moves. Edmonton's defense has been solid and appears to be set for next year with Bouchard, Mattias Ekholm, Jake Walman, Darnell Nurse, Brett Kulak, Troy Stecher, Ty Emberson, and Atro Leppanen. Unless Nurse can be moved, which is highly unlikely, Ekblad will not be signing with the Oilers.

Toronto Maple Leafs

The Maple Leafs make a little more sense as they have a lot of cap space to work with. It was just reported that Mitch Marner will not be re-signing in Toronto and the future of John Tavares remains up in the air. The Maple Leafs have $25.7 million in projected cap space, so if around 1/3 of that is given to Ekblad, the team could make the rest work. Tavares will be getting less on his next deal if he returns and Matthew Knies won't get as high as some think if he doesn't get sent an offer sheet and signs. The problem in Toronto being that the three highest paid d-men are signed until 2030, Oliver Ekman-Larsson is signed for three more years, and Brandon Carlo and Simon Benoit have two years left on their deals. It doesn't seem like there's much room unless a move is made. It's still a possibility as the right side of the defense would then be the strongest in the league.

Detroit Red Wings

The Red Wings seem like one of the most likely landing spots for Ekblad. They are at the point where a big addition or two should get them right into contention for not only the playoffs, but to quickly climb into contender status. There is a good group of younger players who have either already been contributing or are just arriving. Detroit frees up the contract of Jeff Petry and are likely to buy out the final year of Justin Holl's contract as well. Right defensemen are what is needed and Ekblad would be the perfect complement to Moritz Seider. The Red Wings have over $21 million in projected cap space and no players to extend who would take up much of that space.