11 surprising stats that have defined the 2025 MLB season
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Bradford Doolittle
From the standings to the league leaders to the scoreboard itself, numbers are narrative in baseball.
Each season is a little different and 2025 is no exception. Some numbers tell the story as it unfolds; others suggest where the game is and might be headed.
Here are a few numbers that are holding my attention as we approach the halfway point of the campaign.
.454
What the number is: Aaron Judge‘s batting average on balls in play
Why it’s important: Judge has reached that rarefied place few other hitters have: when a star batter becomes so lethal, debates emerge about whether it would be better to simply walk him every time he comes up.
The short answer to that is no — the math doesn’t check out — but that doesn’t mean Judge isn’t doing something that seemed all but unthinkable during his recent run of dominance: He’s gotten even better.
All of the usual indicators that have made Judge the game’s best hitter are in line with his recent standards. He’s on track to homer in more than 8% of his plate appearances for a fourth straight season. His strikeout rate is up a bit lately but is also comparable to his composite for the past few years.
The glaring difference is Judge’s batting average: .372. Even with a recent slump, he’s in position to challenge for the American League’s Triple Crown. That by itself is remarkable for a player who, at the age of 25 in 2017, homered 52 times but also had 208 strikeouts.
Judge’s average spike is in part because of a better whiff rate than his early years, but it’s mostly driven by that BABIP. He’s always been a high BABIP hitter — .352 for his career — simply because he hits the ball hard so often, but we’ve never seen anything like this.
This BABIP has a chance to be truly unprecedented. According to Baseball Reference’s Stathead, the all-time mark for BABIP by a qualifying AL or NL batter is Ty Cobb’s .443 mark in 1911. Judge is currently on pace to obliterate that record.
Also think about what kind of hitter Judge is — an awe-inspiring home run hitter. The BABIP leaderboard is dominated by deadball era players who excelled at a time when the game was all about batting average — Cobb, Shoeless Joe Jackson, Willie Keeler, Jesse Burkett. In the 1920s, a power hitter joined the upper tier of the stat: Babe Ruth.
Yet Ruth’s career high in BABIP was .423 (1923), nowhere close to where Judge is right now. We used to point to Judge’s feats and contextualize them by citing their historical proximity to Ruth. At the rate things are going, we might end up contextualizing Ruth for his proximity to Judge.
1.89
What the number is: Paul Skenes‘ ERA over his first 38 career starts
Why it’s important: It’s a fun exercise to take a player who is off to a fast career start and see how he ranks on some all-time leaderboard. Doing so might highlight his early accomplishments, but we still understand the point is limited. The player hasn’t gone through the ups and downs, injuries and eventual declines that accompany a baseball career.
Nevertheless, we’re going to highlight Skenes’ ERA this way because it’s just so astonishing. And not for nothing, 38 starts is a pretty good sample.
Ordinarily, ERA is limited when it comes to historical comparisons, because the league contexts that affect it have vacillated so wildly through baseball history. You don’t have to be a baseball analyst to understand why the 1.74 ERA that Pedro Martinez posted in the offense-intense 2000 season was very different than when Ron Guidry posted the same figure in pitching-friendly 1978, and even more different than when Tim Keefe landed there in 1888, when the rules were very different.
The remarkable thing about Skenes’ ERA is how it stands out historically, even if you don’t adjust it one iota for league, team or ballpark context. The current all-time leaderboard for career ERA, minimum 38 starts:
1. Ed Walsh (1.82)
2. (tie) Paul Skenes, Addie Joss (1.89)
You’ve got two Hall of Famers who flourished at the heights (lows?) of the deadball era … and Paul Skenes.
22%
What the number is: The overall MLB strikeout percentage
Why it’s important: Look, 22% is still a high strikeout rate on the historical scale. In each season from 1979 to 1981, for example, it was just 12.5%, and that’s when pitchers were still hitting in the National League. But it’s progress: Last year, the figure was 22.6% and we’re now down 1.2% from the full-season record set in 2021. (It was even higher in the shortened 2020 season.)
That much of a four-year decline from 2021 is certainly noteworthy in a category that has generally gone up relentlessly over the entirety of big league history. When the rate dropped off slightly from the shortened season, it ended a 15-year streak of annual increases.
When strikeouts are down, batting average generally goes up, and so it seems to be the case in 2025. The overall .245 mark is nothing to write home about, but it’s two points better than last season, and the number should go up, as the best batting average months are ahead of us.
The average is driven by the improved contact. League BABIP (.291) remains steady over last year, when it plummeted from the .297 mark in 2023. That turned out to be a temporary spike caused by the ban on extreme shifts, but defenses seem to have adjusted.
The game would be better if we could start to push that BABIP back toward .300. In absence of that, we’ll take a little more contact. So far in 2025, we’ve been getting it.
162
What the number is: Shohei Ohtani‘s runs scored pace
Why it’s important: Once again a big league pitcher, Ohtani continues to do unprecedented things at the plate as a Dodger. His stolen base numbers are down from 2024, when he put up MLB’s first 50/50 season, and now that he’s pitching again, we shouldn’t expect the thefts to accelerate. But Ohtani’s work on the bases is still off the charts.
According to Baseball Reference, Ohtani has scored 45% of the time when he reaches base, fourth in the majors. He’s also third in the NL in on-base percentage, behind only teammates Will Smith and Freddie Freeman, so he has had a lot of opportunities to score. Runs scored percentage doesn’t include tallies on homers, and he’s leading the NL in that category with 25.
Roll it all together and Ohtani is on pace to score more than 160 runs. That just doesn’t happen. The modern record is Ruth’s 177 from 1921. Ruth and Lou Gehrig both topped 160 runs twice — and that’s it. No one else has gotten there.
There’s more: Since World War II, only Ted Williams (150, 1949) and Jeff Bagwell (152, 2000) have reached even 150 runs scored. Ohtani might not post another 50/50 season, but that doesn’t mean he’s still not doing historic things at the plate.
And, yeah, he’s pitching again, too.
6.86%
What the number is: The percentage of stolen base opportunities resulting in attempts
Why it’s important: Teams are still sorting out how to optimize for the revamped stolen base context stemming from rule changes and the adoption of larger bases. After wading into heightened running games at first, we’re really seeing teams rev things up in 2025 — and there’s room for more growth.
SBA% is a formula that estimates the number of theft opportunities that arise and converts that to a rate based on the actual number of attempts. The 6.86% figure is up from 4.31% in 2021, a nadir for the division era. Last season, the rate was at 6.75%.
Caught stealing percentage is up, too — 22.6% of attempts — but while it’s the highest number since the rules were changed, it’s still the third-lowest mark on record. If we consider the accepted red flag level for caught stealing to be 25% — more than that, then teams are being too aggressive — that means teams have room to get even more bold.
As it is, we’ve seen 0.75 steals per game in 2025, the highest figure since 1990. This set of rule changes has been a positive.
39.3%
What the number is: The percentage of runs that have scored via homers
Why it’s important: This number is related to both the improved contact rate and the increased steal rate noted above, but it’s still worth calling attention to on its own. The 39.3 R/HR% is at its lowest since 2015.
In general, runs have been hard to come by in 2025, and it remains true that the easiest way to score a run is to simply jack the ball over a fence. Teams haven’t stopped trying to do that. But there has been an uptick in the diversity of offensive styles. That’s a good thing.
MLB has acknowledged that its own data on the performance of the baseballs this year indicates increased drag, making homers a little harder to come by.
Keep it up! The harder it is to homer, the craftier teams will have to be when it comes to scoring. During the 20-year period ending in 1993, R/HR% was around 29%. We’ve got more work to do, but at least the trend arrow is pointing the right direction.
59
What the number is: Cal Raleigh‘s home run pace
Why it’s important: Three players are on pace for at least 50 homers: Judge, Ohtani and, yes, the amazing Cal Raleigh.
It’s no exaggeration to say that if Raleigh were to get to 59 homers, it would be one of the most remarkable longball seasons in baseball history. Mostly because he’s a Gold Glove catcher — more on that in a bit — but also because Raleigh’s home park in Seattle is a brutal venue for offense.
There’s also this: Raleigh is a switch-hitter, and he has mashed with equal aplomb from both sides of the plate. Let’s keep dreaming on this 59-homer pace: Mickey Mantle’s 54 bombs in 1961 is the record for a switcher. Mantle, who also hit 52 in 1956, is the only switch-hitter ever to top 50.
But yes, Raleigh is a catcher, and he’s one of the best. Among primary catchers, the homer record is 48, set by Kansas City’s Salvador Perez in 2021. But Perez hit 15 of those homers while DHing. According to the Baseball Reference split finder, the record for homers by a catcher as a catcher is 42, set by Atlanta’s Javier Lopez in 2003.
So far, 25 of Raleigh’s 27 homers have come when he’s catching.
40/52
What the number is: Pete Crow-Armstrong‘s homer and steal paces
Why it’s important: The Cubs’ offense has been one of the breakout units in the sport this season. If we told you back in March that this would be the case, you’d assume the attack had been ignited by the addition of Kyle Tucker.
Tucker has been every bit as good as the Cubs hoped, but the avatar for the Cubs’ offensive leap has been the amazing Crow-Armstrong. Again, let’s adopt that back-in-March mindset. The default notion then was that if PCA could hit just well enough to stay in the lineup, his defense and baserunning would be a boon to the Cubs’ roster.
Indeed, Crow-Armstrong has been an impact performer in the field and on the basepaths. He’s also started pulling, launching and mashing the ball at elite levels, resulting in 19 dingers to date, with the homers coming at more than twice the rate as in his rookie season.
For now, Crow-Armstrong is on pace to become the Cubs’ first-ever 40/40 player. He’d also be just the seventh player ever to do it, period. But it’s becoming a thing. If PCA (or someone else — keep an eye on Elly De La Cruz) gets there, it would be the third straight season it’s happened, following Ronald Acuna Jr. and Ohtani.
73
What the number is: The number of starting pitchers on pace for at least 162 innings pitched
Why it’s important: Maybe I’m being a little pie-eyed here, because I long for the return of the preeminence of starting pitching. Still, there are 73 pitchers on pace to qualify for the ERA title. This number is subject to rapid change due to a sudden spate of pitching injuries. But perhaps other pitchers will pick up the pace a little and join the club if that happens.
For now, let’s stick with the pace of 73. Last season, 58 pitchers qualified for the ERA title, up from 44 in 2023. The last time we were in the 70s was 2016. The record was set in 1998, when there were 96.
We’re a long way from the days of Bob Gibson and Sandy Koufax, and complete games aren’t going to make a comeback any time soon. Still, it seems like teams are getting a little more out of their core rotation pitchers, which is a step in the right direction.
127
What the number is: The Colorado Rockies‘ loss pace
Why it’s important: If the Rockies break the record set by the Chicago White Sox just last season, MLB might have to start looking into why baseball’s worst teams have suddenly become so wretched. This isn’t Mizzou in the SEC (it’s a dig at my own school, so it’s OK), it’s the major leagues. Baseball teams simply aren’t supposed to lose this often.
There are so many amazing facts about these Rockies already. They are last in runs per game and runs allowed per game. That might seem like a no-brainer given their record, but lest we forget where the Rockies play their home games. A Colorado team hitting with wiffleball bats ought to escape the MLB cellar in scoring.
The Rockies are also on pace to be outscored by 437 runs. Yeah, that’s not good. The modern era record for worst run differential is minus-349, set by the 1932 Red Sox. I mean, I keep putting the numbers into the calculator because it doesn’t seem possible. Colorado has been outscored by 197 runs in 73 games. That’s 2.7 runs per game. Over 162 games, that calculates to 437 runs.
They really have been that bad. There have now been 2,706 teams that have played since 1901. Their minus-201 differential before their win Tuesday would rank 138th on the worst-ever list. And we’ve still got almost two weeks left in June.
12.5
What the number is: Judge’s bWAR pace
Why it’s important: We bookend our numbers tour with another stop at Mount Judge, because he’s just that unbelievable.
The real number here is 10 — as in a 10-WAR season, which would be Judge’s third. Only 13 players have ever had three or more 10-WAR seasons, and the list is awfully impressive:
10: Babe Ruth
8: Walter Johnson
6: Rogers Hornsby, Willie Mays
4: Christy Mathewson
3: Grover Alexander, Barry Bonds, Ty Cobb, Bob Gibson, Lefty Grove, Mickey Mantle, Ed Walsh, Ted Williams
The only hitters to do it are Ruth, Hornsby, Mays, Bonds, Cobb, Mantle and Williams. More lofty company. Judge, who had 10.8 bWAR last season, would be just the ninth hitter to do it in consecutive seasons. The others: Ruth, Bonds, Carl Yastrzemski, Mantle, Hornsby, Williams, Cobb and Mays.
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Greg Wyshynski
When Florida Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk raised the Stanley Cup over his head for the second straight season, the on-ice celebration included two of the most important people in his life: Father Keith Tkachuk, who played 18 seasons in the NHL; and brother Brady Tkachuk, captain of the Ottawa Senators.
Keith was smoking cigars and hoisting the Cup with Matthew around the arena. Brady was holding a beer and diligently avoiding contact with the Cup, as superstition dictates that an NHL player should never touch it if they’ve never won it before.
The celebration was another memorable moment for the Tkachuk boys and their father. This month, another one arrived: The trio graces the cover of EA Sports’ NHL 26 Deluxe Edition.
“Growing up, Matthew and I dreamed of playing just like our dad,” Brady Tkachuk said. “Even now, his influence on how we play and prepare remains huge. It’s an honor to be featured on the cover. Having him standing alongside us makes the whole thing even better.”
We spoke with Matthew and Brady Tkachuk recently about their video game history, the Panthers’ wild offseason, Brady’s future in Ottawa, Matthew’s health heading into next season and their thoughts on the new NHL collective bargaining agreement.
But first, we asked two of the first players named to the 2026 U.S. men’s Olympic ice hockey team about chasing gold. Responses were edited for length and clarity.
You guys became USA Hockey legends after the 4 Nations Face-Off, if you weren’t already. Obviously, the tournament did not end the way Americans wanted. Is winning Olympic gold in the 2026 Winter Games in Italy the ultimate revenge on our friends in Canada?
MATTHEW TKACHUK: I don’t even know if you look at it as revenge, but it’s been a long time coming since USA Hockey’s been at the top of the mountain. Canada’s owned the Olympics or World Cups or even the world championships, although we got that back a little bit this year. They’ve been the leader in all of that and the team that we’ve all been trying to knock off.
I don’t think it’d be as much as revenge than showing how far along USA Hockey has come. We’ve had some incredible players and national teams that we’ve looked up to our whole lives but that haven’t gotten the job done. So, not only would winning [gold] accomplish dreams for us, but hopefully it would bring a lot of satisfaction for those guys that paved the way for us.
Brady, you play in a Canadian city while trying to win Olympic gold for the Americans. What’s that dynamic like?
BRADY TKACHUK: Learning from experience, it’s a little bit of a different position to be in. All the people that support you on a day-to-day basis, now they don’t want you to win.
Your dream as kids is winning the Stanley Cup and winning a gold medal for your country. I know that’s always been our two main goals. But we got into hockey, and a lot of people got into hockey, from the 1980 Miracle on Ice. And now, we have an opportunity to pave the way for the next generation of kids in the U.S. that maybe wouldn’t be playing hockey if they didn’t get to experience USA Hockey in the Winter Olympics and potential gold medals.
There’s not just playing for ourselves in that locker room with that group, but you’re really playing for your country and you’re playing for the next generation of kids. And like Matthew said, you’re playing for the guys that have paved the way, that are to be so supportive and fired up to be watching.
You guys are NHL 26 cover athletes, along with your dad. We spoke to Keith recently, who reminisced about seeing the glow of a video game screen under the doors of your bedrooms, whether it was when you were younger or in Matt’s case, when he was playing in Calgary. What’s your brief history of playing video games together?
MATTHEW TKACHUK: Yeah, we would play. I think during COVID was probably the last time I religiously played, and that was when we were all under one roof before I had my house in St. Louis. Brady and I played a lot. NHL is definitely one of them. I think Brady has played more throughout his life than I have, and that was one of the things that he was much better at than I am. So, I didn’t really play too much against him.
We played the game like how you’d probably expect us to play: Turn off all the penalties, make all the guys really big and fast. It was like prison rules NHL. So, it was a lot of fun.
BRADY TKACHUK: I honestly feel like we had a pretty religious routine. Right after school, if it was a nice day, out for roller hockey then dinner and then we were playing NHL. We try to sneak in a best-of-seven if it was early enough, but it was a lot of fun. Either we played together or most of the time, we’re playing together against each other and it was a ton of fun.
Now that you’re in the NHL, what is the level of interest or concern among the boys when it comes to their EA Sports ratings? Do they still care?
MATTHEW TKACHUK: We don’t talk about it too much. I know that there’s one day, maybe it might be at the beginning of the year, which I guess is coming up here soon, where you go over your rating or you guess another player’s rating. I think where they get pissed off is when you guess their rating and it’s way lower than their actual rating is.
You’ve got to be careful with who the sensitive guys are on the team because you don’t want that to actually affect them — and you never know if it might. Hockey players are proud athletes. You want to have a decent rating.
BRADY TKACHUK: I’m probably one of the guys that will just play a game as the Sens to see where my rating is at, to see how good my guy is. This version is exciting because it’s more individual-based. You can see within the game how I am in real life, and that’s really cool and unique.
These ratings are always fun. And to be honest with you, I don’t know what the rating is going into this year’s game. I know they give a midyear bump and that’s the goal: That hopefully I get a midyear bump because that means I’m playing well.
Matthew, your name was recently listed by the White House as being part of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition, joining names like Wayne Gretzky and Mariano Rivera. How did you get involved in that?
MATTHEW TKACHUK: I’m not actually allowed to comment on that until it’s official yet. So, I have to wait on that a little bit. But I promise in a few weeks, if that comes true, I’ll answer that for you.
Let’s talk about something that did come true: The Florida Panthers somehow hanging on to Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad and Brad Marchand as free agents. How shocked were you that GM Bill Zito was able to pull that off?
MATTHEW TKACHUK: I don’t know if I was shocked. I think at the time, as a player and more importantly as a friend, you’re more worried that one of your buddies is going to go elsewhere. At the end of the day, you want your teammates and your best buddies to be happy with whatever decision they make. So, if that’s chasing a ton of money or if that’s going to where they want to play, you just got to be happy for them.
The best part about those three is they all believe in what we’re doing in Florida. They want to live in Florida, they want to play on a good team, and they want to have a great group of players surrounding them.
Out of all of them, I was most confident in [Ekblad] staying the most. Just because he’s been a lifelong Florida Panther. I just think it was going to be impossible for him to leave. And then the other guys … I mean, this was a chance for them to cash in. You just didn’t know if it was going to be with us or not.
I was surprised, though, that they were all able to stay. I thought that with the way the money was tied up, you didn’t know if it was going to be possible — and somehow it was. Everybody was taken care of so well.
Bill did a great job of making sure it could happen. You want your best buddies to be rewarded with how great they played and how great they’ve been up to this point. I think they all got rewarded very well, and I’m just so excited to have a chance to hopefully run it back with them this year.
When did you know about Marchand? Was it when he was smoking cigars on the back of a golf cart outside of the Elbo Room? At some point, were you just convinced the guy liked it down there vs. leaving as a free agent?
MATTHEW TKACHUK: Marchand, when he first got traded, I would’ve thought there was never a chance that we’re going to be able to keep everybody. As time goes on and you have success and you get to know guys and you get to know what their wants and desires are with the rest of their career — or where they want to live — you can start connecting the dots. People just don’t want to leave Florida when they come. I think that that is the case with them and everybody that’s been there.
The only time you’re going to see guys leave is if it’s such a crazy difference with money. Some of these guys that we’ve had the last few years have really cashed in with other teams, which we’re so happy to see. I think that’s really the only way you’re going to see guys go elsewhere.
We have too good of a thing going right now, and everybody wants to be a part of it.
Brady, your dad threw cold water on all the speculation about you leaving Ottawa when we spoke recently. How much did making the playoffs, showing the progress of the Senators, give you a sense of relief that maybe some of that speculation might go by the wayside now?
BRADY TKACHUK: Yeah, I think we really needed to make the playoffs to show everybody that we’re a team that’s capable of that, but also capable of doing more than just making the playoffs.
The last couple of years, it was kind of stagnant. We had high expectations and we didn’t quite accomplish what we needed to. And with that came doubt. But I think it showed with the steps that we took last year that we have a great hockey team. I think that we’re kind of just getting started with what we want to accomplish. Playoffs are great to get to, but that’s not our end goal. The sky’s the limit for our group.
I think [that success] helped with all the speculation. When things aren’t going well, people are always assuming or trying to think in my shoes. But I was kind of never really in that thought process. It was all about sticking it out. It’s been a long time coming, for not just our team but the city, to get into the playoffs. And I think it was really important to me to end that drought.
Through all that adversity that we faced with being the bottom five teams to finally get to the playoffs was an amazing feeling. But now that we got there, I think everybody wants a little bit more and wants to accomplish all of our childhood dreams.
Obviously, the season is getting closer. Brady, we saw you were training with Trevor Zegras this summer. What are your thoughts about him getting a fresh start in Philadelphia with the Flyers?
BRADY TKACHUK: Yeah, I drove up to Connecticut and skated with him. I’ve known ‘Z’ throughout the years but got to know him pretty well when we played world championships together. He’s a great guy, and I think it’s going to be great for him to get a fresh start in Philly and under Rick Tocchet. They have a great culture there, and I think he’s just going to do a good job of fitting in.
I’ve always thought playing against Philly that they play super hard, but they have a lot of great players with skill. So, I think that is going to be the best thing for him. I’m excited to see his progression this year and see how the change affects him. I bet that’s going to be for the good.
Matthew, you were dealing with some significant injuries by the end of last season and said it was “50/50” regarding offseason surgery. What’s your path for the next few months? Are you still hoping to maybe hit the ice in October?
MATTHEW TKACHUK: I’m still hoping to hit the ice as soon as possible. If I do get the surgery, it definitely will be the first two, maybe three months [of the season] if that’s the case. But it’s still undecided at this point.
Finally, the NHL and NHLPA have signed off on a new collective bargaining agreement. We haven’t heard from many players about this deal. What did you like? What did you wish was in it that didn’t make the cut?
BRADY TKACHUK: I think Marty [Walsh], Ron Hainsey and the NHLPA did a really good job. A lot of it came behind the scenes with the NHL. They kept it discreet.
I think it’s important that we did a four-year deal and to navigate where our league is in four years’ time. Obviously, there’s things that will probably trend and want maybe more of in four years’ time. But I think the changes that they made are exciting. The 84-game schedule [means] more hockey for people to come and watch. I think it’s going to be good.
Less preseason crap, too.
MATTHEW TKACHUK: Took the words right out of my mouth.
That’s the one main thing I like. I’ve never liked the preseason setup. I mean, guys do a great job of coming into [camp] in shape. There are the captain’s skates before the preseason because everyone wants to get back and see the boys. So, I think preseason has been overrated. It’s way too long, and the games are way too much. However they were able to shorten that, I was on board with that for sure.
Just get into the season. Just get on with it.
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Greg Wyshynski
Florida Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk said he remains undecided about getting surgery before the 2025-26 season but acknowledged he could miss significant time should he require it.
Tkachuk, 27, revealed after the season that he sustained a torn adductor muscle and a sports hernia injury while playing for Team USA in the 4 Nations Face-Off in February. He missed the final 25 games of the NHL regular season but returned for Game 1 of the Panthers’ first-round series against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Tkachuk had 23 points (8 goals, 15 assists) in 23 games during the playoffs, including seven points in the final against Edmonton, to lead the Panthers to their second straight Stanley Cup championship.
Coach Paul Maurice said his star forward was “a mess” healthwise heading into the postseason.
“We weren’t hopeful at the start that he would survive the first round,” he said.
Tkachuk said after the season that it was “50/50” whether he’d have surgery, adding that the offseason provided ample time to make that call. Tkachuk told ESPN on Friday that “I’m still hoping to hit the ice as soon as possible.” Should he decide to go under the knife, Tkachuk said, it’s likely he’ll miss multiple months of action.
“If I do get the surgery, it’ll definitely be the first two or maybe three months if that’s the case. But it’s still undecided at this point,” said the Panthers star, whose contract and cap hit could be placed on long-term injured reserve during his recovery.
It’s been a notable offseason for Tkachuk. He appears on the cover of EA Sports’ NHL 26 and is featured with brother Brady and father Keith on the cover of the game’s deluxe edition.
Matthew and Brady Tkachuk were among the first six players named to the 2026 U.S. men’s Olympic hockey roster for the Winter Games in Italy next year. Matthew Tkachuk also married fiancée Ellie Connell in July.
All of that was after another epic, multiday Stanley Cup celebration by the Panthers in Fort Lauderdale and Miami that featured spontaneous appearances at bars, clubs and beaches as well as a championship parade.
The Panthers’ chances for a third straight Stanley Cup received a boost this summer when GM Bill Zito was able to re-sign a trio of star veteran free agents: center Sam Bennett (8 years, $64 million), defenseman Aaron Ekblad (8 years, $48 million), and winger Brad Marchand (6 years, $31.5 million).
Tkachuk said that he wasn’t surprised that all three players wanted to remain with the Panthers but that he was amazed that Zito found a way to make the money work under the salary cap.
“I thought that the way the money was tied up, you didn’t know it was going to be possible, and somehow it was,” he said. “Everybody was taken care of so well, and Bill did a great job of making sure it could happen. I think they all got rewarded very well, and I’m just so excited to have a chance to hopefully run it back with them this year.”
Tkachuk said he was confident that Ekblad would return, having been a Panther since he was drafted by Florida first overall in 2014. He was a little less certain about Bennett and especially Marchand, who both had a chance to break the bank in free agency.
“When Marchand first got traded [at the deadline this spring], I would’ve thought there was never a chance that we were going to be able to keep everybody. But as time goes on and you have success and you get to know guys’ wants and desires for the rest of their career, you can start connecting the dots,” Tkachuk said. “People just don’t want to leave Florida when they come [here]. We have too good of a thing going right now, and everybody wants to be a part of it.”
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