Niko Mikkola signed an eight -year contract with the Panthers on Thursday. Financial conditions were not announced for the deal, which starts with the 2026-27 season.
The 29-year-old defender had NHL career heights in goals (six), assists (16), points (22), plus-minus (plus-12), shots on Doel (116) and Ice Age per match (20:12). He led the Panthers in Hits (137) and became second in blocked shots (88) a behind defender Gustav Forsling.
Mikkola, who entered the last year of a three-year contract that he signed with the Panthers on July 1, 2023, had six points (three goals, three assists) in 22 Stanley Cup Playoff matches last season to help Florida win the cup for the second consecutive season.
“Niko has proven to be a reliable defender who uses his speed and physicality to influence both ends of the ice,” said Panthers general director Bill Zito. “He was an indispensable part of our last two championship campaigns, and we are very happy that Niko will continue his career at the Florida Panthers.”
Selected by the St. Louis Blues in the fifth round (no. 127) of the NHL design of 2015, Mikkola has 62 points (14 goals, 48 ​​assists) in 328 games in the regular season for the blues, New York Rangers and Panthers and 14 points, nine assists.
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