The Florida Panthers re-signed Erik Gudbranson Monday, weeks before the stay-at-home defenceman was scheduled to become a restricted free agent.
“We are very pleased to have signed Erik,” executive vice president and general manager Dale Tallon said in a release.
“He is an important part of our young core who has continued to develop into a reliable, physical presence on our blue line and a strong leader in our locker room.”
Gudbranson’s new deal is for one year and $3.5 million, a nice raise from the $2.5-million salary cap hit of his previous contract. Once this new deal expires, Gudbranson will have one more season before he becomes eligible for unrestricted free agency.
The 24-year-old recorded nine points and was a plus-3 in 64 games with Florida this season and rallied from injury to play in all six playoff games with the Panthers this spring.
Gudbranson ranked fourth in average ice time among Panthers, skating more than 20 minutes per night.
The 6-foot-5, 216-pound Ottawa native has played in 309 NHL games, all with Florida, recording 43 points and 346 penalty minutes.
“I’m very excited for another year with the Panthers,” said Gudbranson, the third-overall choice of the 2010 draft.
“We took great strides last season as a team and our group can only improve upon the success we had. It’s a great time for the organization and I look forward to getting back on the ice with the team.”
The Panthers still need to come to terms with impending RFA Vincent Trocheck, and top-four defenceman Brian Campbell is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
May 9, 2016
Florida Panthers
