Marchand: Panthers utilized being in no-tax state to retain free agents

Forward Brad Marchand believes being in a no-tax state played a significant role in the Florida Panthers re-signing him, Sam Bennett, and Aaron Ekblad this summer.

"You call a spade a spade. If we were not in a non-tax state, it wouldn't have worked out probably for two guys," Marchand said Wednesday, per WPBF 25's Yianni Kourakis. "Two guys probably would've been leaving in that situation. That's a benefit that this team has that we were able to utilize and make work."

The NHL made no changes to income tax rules in the new collective bargaining agreement, and commissioner Gary Bettman called the issue "ridiculous" in June.

The Panthers faced the daunting task of trying to sign Marchand, Bennett, and Ekblad with limited cap space in the days following Florida's second straight Stanley Cup victory.

General manager Bill Zito inked Bennett to an eight-year, $64-million deal on June 27. Then, on the eve of free agency, the Panthers completed a six-year, $31.5-million contract with Marchand and an eight-year, $48.8-million pact with Ekblad.

"The way they were able to make it all work with everyone coming back was pretty impressive," Marchand said, per Five Reasons Sports. "I honestly didn't think there was a chance of it happening. I did not expect to be a Panther this year, if I'm being completely honest. I just didn't think that it could work with everybody."

The Panthers are currently $4.5 million over the cap, according to PuckPedia. However, Matthew Tkachuk and Tomas Nosek are eligible to be placed on long-term injured reserve.