Somehow, the Florida Panthers pulled it off.
Apparently, that’s how you win back-to-back Stanley Cup titles. And now they’re going for a three-peat, and they’ll do it with all of Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad and Brad Marchand.
That trifecta of massive free agents didn’t seem likely to all return. Both the draw of other destinations, and the realities of the salary cap, made it seem unlikely.
But they did it. The Panthers are running it back.
Bennett, from the start, was the guy everyone expected back. The Conn Smythe Trophy winner locked his deal in first.
Marchand implied at various post-Cup appearances that he wanted to return, but then reports indicated that Toronto or Boston may make a run at him. Now, he’s back, too.
MORE: Maple Leafs trade for Mitch Marner’s replacement in buy-low deal from Mammoth
Ekblad, based on early reports, was the most likely to leave.
But then earlier on Monday, he got his deal, before Marchand. It looked like Ekblad’s salary might be too much to keep Marchand, too.
The Panthers kept all three, though. They’re all back, and the rest of the NHL should be afraid.
This is the 2025-26 Stanley Cup favorite, and while a three-peat is far from easy, the Panthers will be at full strength to make a run at it.
MORE NHL NEWS:
