Panthers Lock Up F Anton Lundell For Six More Years!

On today's edition of the Locked On FLORIDA Panthers Podcast, Armando Velez(@Mandoman12) brought in Nich Fairbanks(@prudentia0) for another edition of Fairbanks Friday. The two discuss the news of Forward Anton Lundell signing an extension of 6-years $30 Million that will expire at the end of the 2030 season. The guys discuss Lundell's journey to getting his pay day and how well this works for the Panthers cap situation in the coming years, despite some short term pain. The two also discuss where Barkov was when he originally signed his first deal coming out of his ELC(given to him by previous management) and how he performed after. This also means that the Panthers have identified Lundell as the future second line center, which means we could see this as the last year of Sam Bennett in a Panthers sweater. Assuming the salary cap will rise gradually in the next six years, the deal for Lundell could be an incredible bargain as the the Panthers will look to surround their core pieces over the next few offseasons before Ekblad's contract expires(2025) and Bobrovsky's contract expire (2026). What grade would we give Bill Zito for this Free Agency period now that the dust has settled? We discuss this and more on today's edition of the Locked On FLORIDA Panthers Podcast: Your Team, Every Day.
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[@olgak57]

We cannot let go of Bennett. Ever.

[@zenman1001]

Agreed. Bennett plays with a tough, gritty, grinding style which has helped define the core identity of this team (and is a big part of its success). Lundell is young & talented but, currently, is more of a finesse player and lacks this dimension in his game.

[@jagermaisterretsiamregaj4935]

Yep to me 5m is overpayment at this moment. ​@@zenman1001

[@carrickstomp6101]

After the Panthers lost to Vegas last year, they added 9 new players including Tarasenko who came near the trade deadline. Some in the sports media, including a few in the South Florida sports media thought the team wasn't as good as the one that lost to Vegas but we all know what happened. Sure, having OEL and Montour leave is a big loss but if Zito can find a piece here and there the Panthers should be fine. Maybe it could take some magic at the upcoming year's trade deadline once again? In any case the Panthers still have their 8 top goal scores which includes the core players. Let's see what happens. Go Panthers!

[@johnathonmaldonado3565]

Guys, we're not losing 9 or 23. Ek contract expires after this year. Thats the money to sign both 9 and 23. If Ek wants to stay, big discount and 3rd pair role.

[@LockedOnPanthersNHL]

@@johnathonmaldonado3565 and if you sign both to $7M each, there still needs to be money to get a number one D. So with $26M and if $14 is used up on 9 AND 23, then that’s $12M to used for 7 more roster spots while missing a number one D? The math doesn’t math. You’re GOING TO lose one of them. Many thought BOTH Montour and Reinhart were staying. Didn’t happen. Some wanted Florida to pay Gudas, not paying him ended up being the right choice. Money next summer should be used to get a younger Defenseman. Doesn’t make sense to put all the eggs in the forward basket when you also need to rebuild the defense. Can’t keep everybody.

[@FLPanthers_Steelers_Fanatic]

I’m worried about all the losses and replacing them, nervous Spencer is back to normal, at least one or two right handed D and some forwards, hope Zito finds some gems as I would like us to repeat

[@olgak57]

I don't know about an immediate repeat but I think that locking the core ensures the window is extended

[@esperago]

Agreed, although I think the forwards will be okay unless Lundell's strong playoff performance was tied to tutelage from Tarasenko. I'm concerned about our defense, though, as Zito hasn't done much to fill the Montour and OEL gaping holes. Schmidt isn't even close to an answer unless he has a freak resurgence and even then, his peak (half a decade ago) was nowhere near Montour or OEL.