NHL Free Agent Brad Marchand: Worry About the Future Later

FORT LAUDERDALE — With his postseason heroics and seamless fit with the Florida Panthers, Brad Marchand being a free agent in a couple of weeks when the has been talked about more and more.

Bill Zito has a number of priorities when this season comes to a close, but that business will have to wait.

Marchand, when asked by Tom D’Angelo of the Palm Beach Post, said as much on Sunday after the team’s light practice at the IcePlex.

The NHL free agency period opens on July 1 — just over three weeks away.

“The longest you can go is two weeks, so you’re in the moment that entire time,’’ said Marchand, whose Panthers play Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final tonight.

“You can’t have your mind in any other place other than right here and now. I’ve said it so often during this run: You have to enjoy these moments. They don’t come often. There’s no other thought in my mind right now.”

Marchand has said in the past that he would love to return to the Panthers, but with the team’s salary cap situation — and Marchand’s strong play since the playoffs started — could very well price him out of Florida’s plans.

“I’ve thought about it,’’ Marchand said, “but we’ll deal with that in the future.”

Florida has three high-profile free agents would could hit the market on July 1 if the Panthers do not lock them up first in Marchand, Sam Bennett, and Aaron Ekblad.

Nate Schmidt, who has turned his career around in what could be his first season with the Panthers, could also be a free agent; same for Tomas Nosek and Nico Sturm.

Mackie Samoskevich is a restricted free agent; Florida does not have a backup goalie signed for next season.

So, the $19 million Florida currently has under next season’s salary cap according to PuckPedia is going to get eaten up pretty quickly.

To paraphrase Marchand: Don’t worry about what is going to happen in a couple of weeks. Just “enjoy these moments.’’

PANTHERS / OILERS / FHN

• The Oilers hope the road continues to be good to them — and the Panthers hope to be better at home.
• The Panthers kept the faith after Edmonton tied things up late in Game 2.
• Jonah Gadjovich is savoring his chance to make a difference for the Panthers in these playoffs.
• ‘What are the odds?’ The top four picks of the 2014 NHL Draft will all be playing in Game 3 tonight — three for the Panthers.
• The Oilers changed up their defense at practice on Sunday.
• Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is a game-time decision for Game 3.
• Florida is getting a ton of offense from their defensemen — most notably Schmidt and Seth Jones.
• Jesse Puljujarvi is coming up big for the Charlotte Checkers.
• Marchand was the man for the Panthers on Friday night.
• Don’t forget to subscribe to the FHN YouTube channel to watch interviews with the Florida Panthers throughout the postseason. More video from the pre- and postgame today.

NHL LINKS

• Why the 2025 NHL Draft could see a lot of centers go early.
• The latest rumors on the top RFAs this year.
• The Senators are not looking to trade Drake Batherson.
• Who Dan Muse should add to his first Pittsburgh Penguins coaching staff.
• Draft targets for the Montreal Canadiens.
• Dan Hinote is leaving the Colorado Avalanche for a job with the Lightning.

2025 STANLEY CUP FINAL

GAME 3

EDMONTON OILERS @ FLORIDA PANTHERS

Best-of-7 Series Tied 1-1

• When: Monday, 8 p.m.
• Where: Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise
• National TV: TNT/truTV 
• National Streaming: Max
• Radio: WQAM 560-AM; WPOW 96.5-FM2; WBZT 1230-AM (Palm Beach); WCTH 100.3-FM (Florida Keys), SiriusXM
• Radio Streaming: SiriusXM, NHL App
• Series Schedule (all games at 8 p.m., TNT) — Game 1: @Edmonton 4, Florida 3 (OT); Game 2: Florida 5, @Edmonton 4 (2OT); Game 3: @Florida Monday; Game 4: @Florida Thursday; Game 5: @Edmonton Saturday; Game 6*: @Florida, Tuesday June 17; Game 7*: @Edmonton, Friday June 20.
• How They Got Here: Edmonton d. Los Angeles (6), Vegas (5), Dallas (5); Florida d. Tampa Bay (5), Toronto (7), Carolina (5)
• Postseason History: Florida Won 2024 Stanley Cup Final 4-3
• Regular Season: Panthers won 2-0
• All-time Regular Season Series: Oilers lead 23-18-0, 3 ties