Ekblad signs 8-year deal worth reported $48.8M to stay with Panthers

The Florida Panthers announced they've signed defenseman Aaron Ekblad to an eight-year contract.

The deal carries a $6.1-million cap hit, TSN's Pierre LeBrun reports.

Ekblad has won back-to-back Stanley Cups in Florida and has spent his entire 11-season career with the Panthers. He was drafted first overall by Florida in 2014.

The 29-year-old was set to become an unrestricted free agent Tuesday. AFP Analytics projected that Ekblad could've earned $7.8 million annually had he tested the open market.

Ekblad is coming off an eight-year contract signed in 2016 that had a $7.5-million cap hit.

The Panthers re-signed Conn Smythe Trophy-winner Sam Bennett to an eight-year contract with a $8-million cap hit Friday. They also reportedly brought back Brad Marchand with a six-year deal worth $5.25-million annually.