Panthers general manager Bill Zito, who previously said the Jones trade wouldn't stop the club from keeping "either one or both" defensemen, will now look to head into the 2025-26 season with Ekblad and Jones anchoring the team's top two pairings.

That would keep Ekblad under contact through the 2032-33 season. Ekblad has made it known that he wanted to be a Panther lifer. He has already been with them for 11 seasons ever s

The Panthers re-signed veteran defenseman Aaron Ekblad to a long-term extension, keeping Ekblad with the team that drafted him.