Panthers sign F Carter Verhaeghe to 8-year contract extension

Forward Carter Verhaeghe signed an eight-year contract extension with the Florida Panthers, keeping him in the fold through the 2032-33 season.

While the team did not disclose contract details, Spotrac said it is worth $56 million.

Verhaeghe, 29, will play this season on the final year of a three-year, $12.5 million contract he signed in July 2021. He could have become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.

He was told the contract was finalized Tuesday night before the Panthers defeated the Boston Bruins 6-4 in their season opener.

"We couldn't be happier," general manager Bill Zito said to Verhaeghe. "I want to thank you on behalf of the organization. And it's not just for what you do on the ice, but for the teammate you are, the person you are. We had a couple of talks through this process, and this guy is a Florida Panther."

Verhaeghe is in his fifth season with the Panthers after spending his rookie year with his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs, who selected him in the third round of the 2013 NHL Draft.

In 330 career regular-season games, Verhaeghe has tallied 249 points (127 goals, 122 assists).

A two-time Stanley Cup winner, he also has 26 goals and 29 assists (55 points) in 69 playoff appearances.

He was a key part of the Panthers' Cup-winning team last season, scoring 72 points (34 goals, 38 assists) in 76 games. He had seven game-winning goals.

"Obviously, you want to win the Stanley Cup, and that's the goal," he said. "It was kind of my goal to come here and build it, but you never know if it's going to come true or what happens. It's crazy that it came true, and to do it with this group of guys and this organization, I couldn't be more proud. I'm so proud to be able to wear the Panther logo for a long time, and it wouldn't be right to wear any other sweater."

--Field Level Media