The Florida Panthers are doing a great job of locking up their core players.
Following Florida’s 6-4 victory over the Boston Bruins during Opening Night at Amerant Bank Arena on Tuesday, the team had a little more positive news to share.
Florida announced that they signed forward Carter Verhaeghe to an eight-year contract extension. THN Florida has learned the deal is worth $56 million, coming with an average annual value (AAV) of $7 million per season.
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“We agreed to terms with Carter on an eight-year deal and couldn’t be happier,” Panthers General Manager Bill Zito said after Tuesday’s game.
Zito then turned to Verhaeghe, who was standing next to him, and had some kind words for the newly extended Cats sniper.
“I want to thank you on behalf of the organization and myself,” Zito said. “It’s not just what you do on the ice, but for the teammate you are, the person you are. This guy is a Florida Panther. I think he defines…what we just went through, all the superlatives that we used about our team, Carter lives them every day, and we’re very blessed to have him.”
Verhaeghe is playing in the final year of his current deal, so he’s now under contract with the Panthers through the 2022-23 season.
He joins Sasha Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Reinhart, Gus Forsling and Anton Lundell as Panthers players who are signed through at least the end of the decade.
“They’re like brothers to me, and honestly, it feels so good (after) last year, being able to win with this core,” Verhaeghe said. “We’ve been at it for a while, and we just keep on building and getting stronger. The friendships I’ve made here are lifelong, and I’m just so proud to be a Panther.”
Verhaeghe said he finalized the deal moments before Tuesday’s game, wearing his hockey gear as he put ink to paper.
“I was halfway dressed and I went in, and they told me it was done,” he said.
During his five seasons with the Panthers, Verhaeghe has grown into one of the league’s best clutch players.
His reputation as a guy who will come through during the game’s biggest moments – whether it be during the third period or overtime, regular season, playoffs or Stanley Cup Final – is becoming the thing legends are made of.
Now Verhaeghe will be able to grow his roots in South Florida, knowing he’ll be with the Panthers for what could end up being the rest of his career. He’ll be 37 years old when his new deal expires.
The new deal caps off a pretty remarkable summer for Verhaeghe.
“It’s been an awesome couple of months,” he said. “Winning the Stanley Cup, I got married, signed new contract, and getting the rings last night, it’s been crazy, and I’m so, so lucky and proud.”
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