October 8, 2024 | 10:49pm ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

PANTHERS SIGN VERHAEGHE TO 8-YEAR, $56M DEAL

Carter Verhaeghe, forward

The Florida Panthers have signed forward Carter Verhaeghe on an eight-year, $56 million contract extension commencing in the 2025-26 season.

Verhaeghe will earn a salary of $1 million in each of the eight years of his new deal, with the rest being paid out in signing bonuses.

His deal includes a full no-movement clause in the first five-years of the deal, and applies this season, as well, and comes with a 20-team no-trade list in the sixth year, and a 16-team no-trade list in the final two years of the contract.

“Carter is one of our most trusted players. South Florida has watched him evolve into one of the NHL’s most elite goal scorers while also being a relentless forechecker,” said Panthers GM Bill Zito. “His willpower and perseverance have allowed him to repeatedly succeed as a critical performer on the biggest stages. He is an integral part of our team now and into the future, and we are thrilled to see him remain a part of our core group.”

Verhaeghe, 29, amassed 34 goals and 38 assists for 72 points in 76 games last season, setting new career highs in assists (38), powerplay goals (8), game-winning goals (7) and points-per-games played (.95).

In the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Verhaeghe led all Panthers skaters in goals (11) while ranking third on the team with 21 points (11-10-21), helping the team to its first Stanley Cup Championship.

The Toronto native has appeared in 330 career NHL games between Tampa Bay (2019-20) and Florida (2020-21 to 2023-24), posting 127 goals and 122 assists for 249 points.

Verhaeghe was originally selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the third round (82nd overall) of the 2013 NHL Draft.