Panthers Give Ekblad Extension; Sign Forwards Sceviour & Marchessault

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The Florida Panthers continued their wheeling and dealing Friday.

The team has made All-Star defenseman Aaron Ekblad the highest paid player in franchise history – agreeing to an eight-year, $60 million contract extension Friday.

Ekblad, 20, was in the final season of his three-year, entry-level deal at $925,000 and the Panthers wanted to secure a long-term deal with their 2014 No. 1 overall draft pick.

He earned a plus-18 ice rating in 21:41 per game on the ice this past season and routinely covered the opposing team's best player.

The club also announced the signings of forwards Colton Sceviour and Jonathan Marchessault. Sceviour inked a two-year deal worth $1.5 million and Marchessault's got a two-year deal worth $1.9 million.

Sceviour spent the past five seasons with the Dallas Stars and totaled 11 goals and 23 points in 71 games.

Marchessault, a physical player who racked up 61 hits this past season, finished his rookie campaign in 2015-16 with the Lightning, notching seven goals and 18 points in 45 games with a minus-10 ice rating.