Marchand and the Panthers are nearing a six-year contract extension worth just less than $32 million, according to Sportsnet's Elliott Friedman. That comes after Friedman reported the Panthers reached an eight-year contract with Aaron Ekblad, a deal with a $6.1 million average annual value.

Marchand is fresh off of helping lead the Panthers to their second straight championship. In his first season with the team after being acquired before the trade deadline, he was a huge part of knocking off the Edmonton Oilers and Connor McDavid for the second straight season in the Stanley Cup Final.

The Panthers have done a masterful job re-signing their own free agents this offseason. In addition to Marchand, Florida has kept top-six center Sam Bennett (eight years, $64 million) and star defenseman Aaron Ekblad (eight years, $48.8 million).