Panthers GM Bill Zito Makes Major Announcement Regarding the Maple Leafs' Top UFA Targets

Last night, the Florida Panthers won the Stanley Cup with a dominant 5-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers. It was all-out domination, and the Oilers did not stand a chance.

However, going into free agency, the Panthers and general manager Bill Zito have a problem on their hands. Sam Bennett, Brad Marchand, and Aaron Ekblad all need new contracts.

Bennett could make close to $8 million per season, and the same can be said of Marchand. Meanwhile, Ekblad wants close to $7 million per season. Considering the Panthers only have $19 million in cap space, keeping all three could prove impossible.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have expressed interest in all three of these players. For now, Marchand remains the likeliest to sign in Toronto. Although the way these playoffs went, one can imagine that Marchand would love to stay in Florida.

As for Zito, he was asked about his three unrestricted free agents on Tuesday night. Whether or not it was the heat of the moment, Zito maintained that he thinks all three guys can come back.

It might take some creativity for this to happen, although some of these guys might be willing to take a pay cut if it means winning more Stanley Cups.

We cannot imagine this Panthers team going away anytime soon. After all, they also have Aleksander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk, and Sergei Bobrovsky.

Either way, Maple Leafs fans are going to hate this news, as it means some of their top targets will not be available.

Only time will tell whether or not the Panthers can get the band back together, or be forced into the same position as the Tampa Bay Lightning.