Panthers Free Agency Notebook: Marchand, Ekblad, Bennett Highlight Extensions

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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — NHL Free Agency is well underway, but the back-to-back Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers don’t have much to do anymore.

Most of the Panthers deals were finalized before the market opened at Noon ET on Tuesday; they are only expected to make a few smaller signings throughout the next few days.

 

The Trifecta Completed

Entering the offseason, Florida had three big pending unrestricted free agents: Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad and Brad Marchand.

 

Signing two of them, much less all three seemed to be a pipe dream.

 

Bill Zito got it done. But, the Panthers GM didn’t want to take the credit.

 

“I didn’t, it was those guys,” Zito said Tuesday when asked how he was able to make the deals work. “It’s 100% those men who made that decision that they all wanted to continue to try and win together.”

 

Bennett, the 2025 Conn Smythe winner, was the first to get his deal done — at eight-years, $64M ($8M AAV).

 

On June 30 — one day before Free Agency began — Aaron Ekblad was the second off the board, signing an eight-year, $48.8M deal ($6.1M AAV).

 

“It was always Florida,” Ekblad said on Tuesday. “Florida is home now.”

 

A first-overall draft pick by Florida in 2014, Ekblad has seen both the peaks — winning two Stanley Cups — and the lows — like continuously missing the postseason — in his 11 years with the Panthers. He takes pride in still being here after the turnaround.

 

“It means the world to me,” Ekblad said after signing his extension. “It means the world to Sasha. It means the world to all the staff that have been here the entire time as well. So, yeah, it was a true turnaround.”

 

Brad Marchand completed the hattrick, with his six-year, $31.5M deal ($5.25M AAV) becoming official on Tuesday morning.

 

“Instantly supplementing our lineup from the moment he arrived in South Florida, Brad has been an outstanding addition to our team,” Zito said of Marchand. “He is the definition of a warrior on the ice, a critical leader for our group and a relentless competitor.”

 

Nosek Returns 

Fourth-line center Tomas Nosek is coming back on a one-year, $775K deal, the Panthers announced Tuesday.

The 32-year-old Czech forward played in all six Stanley Cup Final games last season and featured on Florida’s penalty.

 

“Tomas is a stalwart centerman whose strong two-way play served an important role in our championship run this season,” Zito said. “We are excited for Tomas and his family to remain with our organization for the upcoming season.”

 

Going into next season, the Panthers will see their entire fourth-line return: Jonah Gadjovich, A.J. Greer and now Nosek.

 

Cheap Deal for Tarasov

After acquiring 26-year-old goaltender Daniil Tarasov last week, the Panthers signed him to a one-year, $1.05M contract on Tuesday, according to

 

He is expected to back up fellow countryman Sergei Bobrovsky next season.

 

Qualifying offers 

The Panthers extended qualifying offers to the following players (who are eligible to offer sheets): Tobias Bjornfot, MacKenzie Entwistle, Oliver Okuliar, Wilmer Skoog.

 

Mike Benning and Mackie Samoskevich were also extended qualifying offers by the Panthers, however they are not eligible to be offer sheeted (as they are 10.2.c players)

 

Cap Questions

As of now the Panthers are just over $2M above the salary cap; they also still need to sign RFA Mackie Samoskevich to a contract.

You are able to operate at 10% above the cap in the offseason, but will have to be compliant when opening night rosters are submitted.

Panthers Bring Back Forward Tomas Nosek on One-Year Deal

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Just a few hours before the NHL Free Agency market officially opens (Noon ET), the Florida Panthers locked up another player from its 2025 Stanley Cup winning team.

 

Florida and center Tomas Nosek agreed to terms on a one-year, $775K contract extension, according to TSN’s Pierre LeBrun.

Nosek, 32, played in 59 regular season (1 goal, 9 points) and 16 playoff games (0 goals, 3 points) for the Panthers season as the fourth-line center. He appeared in all six Stanley Cup Final games last season.

 

The Czechia native featured on Florida’s penalty kill unit last season and is expected to remain there come 2025-26.

 

Going into next season, the Panthers will see their entire fourth-line return: Jonah Gadjovich, A.J. Greer and now Nosek.

 

Moves So Far

Panthers GM Bill Zito got most of his moves done before the market opened. After winning the Cup, Florida extending Sam Bennett and Aaron Ekblad to eight-year contracts, Brad Marchand to a six-year deal, and Nosek on a one-year.

 

Florida also traded for pending RFA goaltender Daniil Tarasov from the Columbus Blue Jackets last week.

 

They have also extended qualifying offers to at least two pending free agents, one of whom is forward Mackie Samoskevich, according to David Dwork of the Hockey News. Defenseman Mike Benning was also extended a qualifying offer, a source tells Five Reasons Sports.

Panthers Extend Forward Brad Marchand

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Bill Zito did it. He completed the trifecta.

 

After re-signing both Sam Bennett and Aaron Ekblad to eight-year deals, the Panthers locked up forward Brad Marchand on Monday to a multi-year contract extension, according to multiple reports.

 

The reported deal comes in at six years, worth just under $32M, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.

 

After being acquired in-season at the trade deadline, Marchand, 37, played a pivotal role in the Panthers Stanley Cup win last month. In 23 playoff games, the 14-year veteran scored 10 goals and 20 points, with six of those goals coming in the Stanley Cup Final.

 

With Marchand’s reported deal coming in at $32M over a six-year span, his AAV should be just under $6M. Florida has $4.9M of cap space before the Marchand contract hits the books.

 

NHL Free Agency is set to begin at Noon ET on July 1

Panthers Re-Sign Defenseman Aaron Ekblad

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Defenseman Aaron Ekblad and the Florida Panthers have agreed to a multi-year contract extension, according to multiple reports.

 

The deal spans eight seasons and carries a $6.1M AAV, according to TSN’s Pierre LeBrun.

 

Ekblad, 29, was drafted first overall by the Panthers in 2014 and was set to become a free agent on July 1.

 

The two-time Stanley Cup champion holds numerous Panthers defense records, including most games (732), goals (118) and points (380).

 

Set to become the top available defenseman on the market, Ekblad could’ve made more money elsewhere. But, the 11-year Panther veteran made it clear that he wanted to stay in South Florida.

 

“I live and breathe for the Florida Panthers,” Ekblad said at Stanley Cup Final media day. “I bleed for the Florida Panthers. I’ve given my body and everything to this team. I want to keep doing it forever, for as long as they’ll let me keep coming to the rink.”

 

Florida has locked up both Ekblad and Sam Bennett on max-term deals before the pair could hit the open market as pending free agents. Their contracts run through the 2032-33 season.

 

The Panthers have approximately $4.9M of remaining cap space after the signings.

The History-Breaking Sweep: Marlins Make Franchise Noise in the Desert

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Phoenix – The Miami Marlins completed their second straight sweep of an NL West opponent on Saturday, following up a 3-game set against the Giants with another commanding performance against the Diamondbacks. With a 6–4 comeback win in Game 3, the Marlins not only extended their MLB-best win streak to 7 games, but also set a franchise record with their ninth consecutive road win.

The streak began in Washington, where the Marlins notched their first sweep of the season against the Nationals. Since then, they’ve added two more, riding a mix of young talent, timely hitting, and clutch bullpen performances to the hottest stretch of their season.

Series Recap: Marlins vs. Diamondbacks

Game 1: Offensive Onslaught

The Marlins pounded out 13 hits, including three home runs, in a 9–8 win. Miami took the lead in the fourth and built a 9–5 cushion by the ninth. Arizona mounted a late charge, but fell just short. The victory set the tone for what was to come.

Game 2: The Comeback Kids

Trailing by four runs in the eighth, Miami mounted another signature rally. Otto Lopez sparked it with a two-run homer, Heriberto Hernandez tied it with a pinch-hit sac fly, and Agustín Ramírez capped the win with a walk-off RBI single in the tenth.
Anthony Bender, a potential All-Star and trade deadline chip, worked three shutout innings across the first two games, including the ninth and tenth in Game 2.

Game 3 Recap – June 29, 2025

Final Score: Marlins 6, Diamondbacks 4
Location: Chase Field, Phoenix

Down 2–1 entering the 8th inning, the Marlins broke the game open with a five-run explosion. Otto Lopez took the lead with a two-run single and Kyle Stowers dealt the decisive blow with a three-run double to center. Arizona clawed back two runs in the bottom of the inning but couldn’t draw closer.

🔑 Key Performers:

  • Otto Lopez: 5-for-14 in the series with two home runs and 6 RBI, including a pivotal 2-run single in Game 3

  • Kyle Stowers: 1-for-2, 3 RBI in the finale (pinch hit)

  • Agustín Ramírez: On base 3 times in Game 3, drove in the Game 2 walk-off

  • Anthony Bender: 3 shutout innings in the series, emerging as a reliable late-inning option and All-Star candidate

  • Cal Quantrill: 5 IP, 3 H, 2 ER 5K in Game 3

  • Lake Bachar: 2 perfect innings and 3 Ks in 6th and 7th of game 3.

D-Backs Notes:

Eduardo Rodriguez held the Marlins to one run through 5 1/3 in Game 3, but the Arizona bullpen couldn’t seal the deal. Jalen Beeks surrendered 4 runs while recording just two outs in the fateful 8th.

Looking Ahead:

At 37–45, the Marlins return home to face the struggling Minnesota Twins, with a chance to match the franchise-record 9-game win streak—a mark they’ve reached four times, most recently in 2008.

With young players like Lopez, Stowers, Ramírez, and Hernandez all stepping up, and bullpen arms like Bender flashing late-game dominance, the Marlins are finally starting to reach a turning point in their rebuild. Young talent is rising, and trade value is growing. As we approach the trade deadline, it may be time to pay attention to what’s building in South Florida.

Duncan Robinson Declines Option, Potentially Ending Historic Heat Run

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MIAMI — Duncan Robinson, the most prolific shooter in Miami Heat history, has elected to use his early termination option and will become a free agent, bringing an uncertain close to a storybook chapter in South Florida.

*The Heat will work to get Duncan back*

@ShamsCharania

“Miami Heat guard Duncan Robinson is declining his $20 million early termination option to become a free agent and will work with the franchise on a new deal to return, or a move elsewhere, sources tell ESPN.”
“The decision allows Robinson to work on a longer-term deal with the Heat — or pursue free-agent contracts and sign-and-trades elsewhere starting Monday night.”

From a division III transfer to the fastest player in NBA history to hit every major 3-point milestone (up to 1,000), Robinson redefined the Heat’s perimeter identity. Duncan’s time in Miami was one to remember and was full of big-time threes and dribble hand offs with Bam. Even as injuries and inconsistency crept in, his movement shooting and chemistry with Bam Adebayo helped shape a modern offense. If this is goodbye, it’s one written in deep range and deep impact.

#MiamiRunsOnDuncan

Panthers Acquire Goaltender Daniil Tarasov from Blue Jackets

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Before free agency gets underway on July 1, the Panthers got a head start on filling out its roster for next season.

 

Florida acquired goaltender Daniil Tarasov from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for a fifth-round pick (160th overall) in the 2025 NHL Draft, the Panthers announced Thursday.

 

Tarasov was drafted 86th overall by the Blue Jackets in 2017. Current Panthers President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Bill Zito was an assistant GM in Columbus at the time.

 

Last season, the 26-year-old appeared in 20 games with the Blue Jackets, registering a 7-10-2 record, .881 save percentage and 3.54 goals against average. Since beginning his NHL career in 2021-22, Tarasov has appeared in 65 games, posting a 19-34-6 record, .898 save percentage and 3.44 goals against average.

 

The 6-foot-5 netminder is expected to be Florida’s No. 2 behind fellow Novokuznetsk, Russia native and former Blue Jacket Sergei Bobrovsky.

 

Bobrovsky, who just won his second Stanley Cup with Florida earlier this month, grew up idolizing Daniil’s father, Vadim, who was a fellow goaltender, according to Panthers senior digital content manager Jameson Olive.

 

Tarasov — a pending restricted free agent (RFA) that will need a new contract —  is expected to replace Vitek Vanecek, who is a pending unrestricted free agent (UFA).

One Of The Best Places To Buy Kratom Online – MitWellness: Know Why

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In a growing marketplace full of choices, finding one of the best places to buy kratom online can be challenging. Customers want more than just a product—they want quality, transparency, convenience, and a brand they can trust. That’s where MitWellness stands out. Known for its dedication to customer satisfaction, product integrity, and exceptional service, this site is quickly becoming a favorite destination for kratom enthusiasts. What truly sets MitWellness apart is its customer-first philosophy. For those looking to order confidently from a brand that aligns with modern values, MitWellness checks every box. Here’s why this brand continues to earn its reputation as one of the most reliable and user-friendly kratom sources online.

 

Reasons Why MitWellness Is One Of The Best Places To Buy Kratom Online

 

Extensive range of high-quality Kratom products

MitWellness offers an impressive variety of Kratom products to cater to different needs and preferences. Whether you’re looking for fine powders, easy-to-use capsules, or potent liquid extracts, you’ll find a wide assortment of options. Each product is carefully selected to ensure consistency and excellence. The brand also offers a variety of strains to suit individual routines and flavor preferences.

 

Their well-organized product selection includes multiple formats and sizes, making it easy to try new options or stock up on favorites. For those new to kratom, this site also offers sample packs, helping users explore different varieties without committing to a full-size product.

 

Additionally, the brand keeps its catalog fresh by regularly introducing new strains and limited-edition blends based on customer feedback and emerging trends.

 

Transparent sourcing and testing practices

Transparency is a core value at MitWellness. All kratom products are sourced responsibly, and the company openly shares details about where their botanicals come from. Each batch is examined by third-party labs to ensure purity, consistency, and quality.

 

Customers can easily access lab results and ingredient information, providing confidence in the product they’re purchasing. This level of transparency has become a defining feature of the brand, earning it trust and loyalty from customers nationwide.

 

Competitive pricing without compromising quality

When it comes to kratom, the price often reflects quality—but MitWellness proves that you don’t have to overspend to get a premium experience. The brand offers competitive pricing that aligns with industry standards while maintaining exceptional quality across all product lines.

 

Frequent promotions, discounts on bulk purchases, and loyalty rewards make it even more affordable to keep your favorite kratom products on hand. By balancing price and value, this site ensures that quality wellness products remain accessible to everyone.

 

Easy-to-use online store

The MitWellness website is designed with the customer in mind. It features an intuitive layout, easy navigation, and innovative filtering tools that allow shoppers to find what they need quickly. Product descriptions are informative, helping customers make informed decisions.

 

Whether you’re shopping on a desktop or mobile, the user experience remains seamless. Secure checkout and order tracking features enhance convenience, making the online shopping process efficient and stress-free.

 

Fast, reliable, and discreet shipping

A smooth shipping process is essential when ordering kratom online, and MitWellness delivers on this front as well. Orders are processed promptly, shipped discreetly, and arrive quickly at your doorstep. Tracking numbers are provided so you can monitor your order every step of the way.

 

The site packages its products with care to ensure they arrive in excellent condition. Whether you’re placing a one-time order or setting up a regular delivery, you can count on timely and dependable service.

 

For customers who need their kratom without delay, expedited shipping options are also available. The shipping team understands the importance of reliability and ensures every parcel is handled with the utmost attention to detail and discretion.

 

Secure and flexible payment options

MitWellness understands the importance of secure and flexible payment options. This website supports a variety of trusted payment methods, including major credit cards and even select digital wallets or cryptocurrencies.

 

These secure options not only protect your financial information but also make the purchasing process efficient and straightforward. With multiple choices available, every customer can find a convenient way to pay for their order.

 

The brand regularly updates its payment systems to support the latest encryption and fraud prevention technologies. This ensures every transaction is not only convenient but also as safe as possible—something customers truly value in the digital age.

 

 

Exceptional customer support

A reliable support team is crucial to any great shopping experience, and MitWellness takes pride in offering top-tier customer service. Their representatives are knowledgeable, friendly, and prompt in responding to inquiries.

 

Whether you have questions about product details, need help with an order, or want guidance on what to choose, the MitWellness team is ready to assist. The brand’s commitment to responsive support enhances its reputation, ensuring that every customer feels valued and supported.

 

The site also provides live chat assistance, detailed product FAQs, and a responsive email support system. No matter how you prefer to communicate, there’s always someone available to help, ensuring a stress-free shopping journey from start to finish.

 

Supportive resources

Beyond just selling products, MitWellness educates and supports its community. Their website includes blogs, FAQs, and educational guides designed to help users make well-informed choices.

 

From usage tips to background on different strains and formats, these resources empower both new and seasoned customers to get the most from their kratom experience. This ongoing commitment to customer education strengthens the brand’s role as a trusted resource.

 

MitWellness regularly updates its resource center with trending topics, user-submitted questions, and practical advice. These efforts help create a more informed community that can make confident choices for their needs.

 

The Final Thoughts

Finding the best places to buy kratom online involves more than a quick search—it requires trust, quality, and a seamless customer experience. MitWellness checks every box, making it a top-tier choice for those who value reliability and transparency. From a vast selection and fair pricing to dedicated support and trustworthy practices, MitWellness stands out as one of the most dependable platforms in 2025.

Miami Heat Select Kasparas Jakucionis at #20

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With the pick acquired from the Warriors in the Jimmy Butler trade, the Miami Heat struck gold at No. 20 by selecting Kasparas Jakucionis. The Lithuanian guard is one of the draft’s most advanced pick-and-roll playmakers—smart, poised, and polished beyond his years.

Jakucionis excels in the halfcourt, with elite vision and control off screens, and can score efficiently—especially as a knockdown threat from the corners. At 6’5″, he brings size, feel, and versatility to a Heat backcourt that needed exactly that. He’s a natural fit alongside Herro, Bam, or whatever core Miami rolls forward with.

Smart, skilled, and system-ready, Jakucionis is tailor-made for Spoelstra’s offense. This pick could look like a steal very soon.

More to come soon.

Wild Tornado Casino Review for Aussies – Games, Safety, Bonuses

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Wild Tornado: a comprehensive look at the aussie favorite Wildtornado Casino

If you’re scoping out a fresh, thrilling online casino, wild-tornado.online might’ve already popped up on your radar. This Aussie-friendly platform has been creating quite the buzz in the online gaming community. Known by many as Wildtornado, the site’s sleek design, diverse offerings, and licensed operations make it a serious contender for those who enjoy safe, varied, and visually appealing casino experiences.

What is Wild Tornado Casino?

Wild Tornado Casino is an online casino brand that caters heavily to Australian players, offering a wide selection of slots, table games, and live casino experiences. Launched with a focus on design, functionality, and fairness, Wild Tornado Casino is operated by a reputable company holding a legitimate gaming license. That means punters can relax knowing their experience is both secure and compliant with industry standards.

Despite the fun branding, Wildtornado isn’t all flash and no substance. The site blends user experience with back-end stability, supporting a broad range of payment options, multi-device compatibility, and 24/7 support—critical features for any top-tier online casino in today’s competitive environment.

Standout features of Wild Tornado Casino

Before diving into gameplay, Aussie players will want to know what sets Wild Tornado Casino apart from the pack. Here are some standout features that make it worth a gander:

  • Game diversity: Hundreds of games across slots, roulette, blackjack, and live dealer tables.
  • Crypto-friendly: Supports Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other digital coins alongside traditional fiat.
  • User interface: Clean, quick to load, and visually appealing—even on mobiles.
  • Geo-friendly filters: Localised content and promotions for Australian players.
  • Safety-first design: SSL encryption and licensed operations ensure data protection.

This combination of features makes it a solid choice whether you’re a casual player or someone who clocks in serious time on the reels.

Game selection at Wildtornado

Wild Tornado Casino online serves up a buffet of game options. Whether you’re into pokies or prefer testing your strategy on blackjack tables, there’s plenty to explore.

Here’s a quick breakdown of what’s on offer:

Game Type Details
Pokies Includes classic 3-reelers, video slots, and progressive jackpots.
Table games Roulette, blackjack, baccarat, and poker varieties.
Live casino Real-time dealers, HD streaming, chat functionality.
Specialty games Scratch cards, dice games, and more niche formats.

It’s easy to filter games by provider or type, making it a breeze to find your favourites. And yes, the games are provably fair—tested by independent auditors.

Banking options and withdrawals

One of the biggest headaches at some online casinos is moving money in and out. Wild Tornado Casino aims to make this process as hassle-free as possible.

Expect to find the following payment methods:

  • Visa / Mastercard.
  • Bank transfer.
  • Skrill, Neteller.
  • Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin.

Deposits hit your account nearly instantly. Withdrawals are generally fast too—crypto tends to process within minutes, while bank methods might take a day or two. Identity verification is required before withdrawals, but this is standard practice and helps keep things secure.

Responsible gaming features

Wildtornado takes player safety seriously. That includes tools to help manage your gambling habits. Players can set:

  • Deposit limits;
  • Loss limits;
  • Session time limits;
  • Cool-off and self-exclusion periods.

These features are tucked neatly into the account settings and are easy to activate without needing to speak to support. For Aussies who prefer playing with mindfulness, this is a big tick.

Navigating the Wild Tornado interface

Even for first-timers, Wild Tornado Casino offers a seamless entry point. The navigation bar is simple, the menus are responsive, and the mobile version doesn’t skimp on performance.

The game lobby includes categories like:

  • New games.
  • Top-rated.
  • Jackpots.
  • Crypto-friendly games.

Everything is laid out logically, and search filters help narrow your options without any fuss.

Customer support and community feedback

Support is available 24/7 through live chat and email. The help team is generally responsive, providing clear answers instead of cookie-cutter scripts. The FAQ section is basic but does cover key queries around banking, bonuses, and technical troubleshooting.

From player reviews and forums, the general vibe around Wild Tornado Casino is positive. Aussies appreciate the fast withdrawals, smooth site experience, and crypto support. Some do mention occasional lag in live dealer games during peak hours, but this is rare.

FAQ: Wild Tornado Casino

To wrap things up, here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Wild Tornado Casino online.

Is Wild Tornado Casino safe for Australian players?
Yes. It operates under a legitimate gaming licence, uses encrypted connections, and supports responsible gaming features.

Can players from Australia use AUD?
Absolutely. The site supports AUD as both a display and transaction currency, which simplifies things for Aussie users.

Does Wildtornado offer no-deposit bonuses?
Occasionally. While most promotions require a deposit, keep an eye on their promos page for seasonal no-deposit offers.

Is customer support truly 24/7?
Yes. Live chat agents are on standby around the clock, and email responses typically land within 12 hours.

What’s the minimum withdrawal amount?
This varies by method, but most start around $30 AUD. Crypto withdrawals may allow slightly lower thresholds.

Final thoughts

All told, Wild Tornado Casino is a solid option for Australian players. With its polished site design, strong game variety, and player-friendly banking setup, it’s more than just a flashy brand. Whether you call it Wild Tornado Casino online, Wildtornado, or simply Tornado, it offers a gaming experience that’s trustworthy, accessible, and tailored for Aussie sensibilities.

There’s no need for gimmicks here—just a well-rounded casino that does most things right.