“We’re lucky”: Matthew Tkachuk applauds Panthers' cap gamble on Brad Marchand and Sam Bennett

The Florida Panthers in order to retain core players like Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad, and Brad Marchand, successfully navigated salary cap challenges. Despite the potential to earn significantly more elsewhere, the team secured these players, with long-term, team-friendly contracts, influencing their championship success. Matthew Tkachuk expressed strong approval for these crucial roster moves.The Florida Panthers pulled off a magic trick with their team, keeping key players like Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad, and Brad Marchand even with a tight budget. How'd they do it? Their secret weapon, which convinced these guys to take a bit less money than they could've gotten elsewhere, was their winning spirit and two Stanley Cup championships.Aaron Ekblad, a top defenseman, signed an eight-year deal for $6.1 million a year. That's a steal when he could've easily charged over $10 million! And Sam Bennett followed suit, taking an $8 million AAV over eight years, turning down potential $10 million offers. Since both wanted to keep winning, they both chose to stay. Even Brad Marchand is sticking around for another six years at $5.33 million a year.Matthew Tkachuk, one of the Panthers' stars, even with the money crunch, was absolutely thrilled about these moves. When asked if he was upset about Marchand joining, he practically flared: "I loved it. I knew that was a guy, with Seth Jones, who could put us over the hump. Now they’re here for the next five years — Marchy, six. Two culture guys and glue guys we’re lucky to have."He even found it funny, inserting, "No. I find it funny that hockey players want to stay in South Florida to play hockey — and will stay for less money. That’s amazing. It’s the greatest place to play in the NHL. Hopefully we’re not stopping at two."It really indicates how much these players believe in the Panthers' winning formula and love playing in South Florida. Tkachuk himself is locked in for eight years at $76 million, and racking up points and helping them grab those two championships, he's been a huge part of their recent success. Also Read: “Just frustrating”: Ryan Reaves slams toxic Leafs fans, says they drove Mitch Marner out of Toronto after years of loyaltyBeing traded from the Calgary Flames, he's been with the Panthers for three seasons since in 2022. He's a consistent drive on the ice, last season putting up 57 points (22 goals, 35 assists) in 52 games and another 23 points (8 goals, 15 assists) in the playoffs. Drafted sixth overall in 2016, he's amassed an impressive 636 career points (240 goals, 396 assists) in 642 games.