Florida Panthers sign Aleksi Lundell to a six-year contract extension

SUNRISE, Fla. — Anton Lundell and the Florida Panthers have agreed to a six-year, $30 million contract, one ensuring that the Stanley Cup champions have all eight of their leading scorers from this past season back to defend the title.

Lundell was a restricted free agent. He had 13 goals and 22 assists in 78 games for the Panthers this past regular season, and his production was even better in the playoffs — with 17 points in 24 games along the way to the Cup.

The last of those 17 playoff points was an assist to help set up Carter Verhaeghe’s opening goal in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final, one where Florida topped Edmonton 2-1 to clinch the franchise’s first title.

“Anton has matured into a dependable multirole centre for our club, who seized his opportunity from his first day in North America,” Panthers president of hockey operations and general manager Bill Zito said. “His commitment to improvement and cerebral approach to the game earned him the profound respect of his teammates and coaches, and we are excited to see him continue to grow and succeed with the Panthers.”

The 22-year-old Finnish centre has spent three seasons with the Panthers since they took him with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2020 draft. He has 43 goals and 69 assists in 216 games.

The Panthers now have even more of their core locked in for years to come, with Lundell, captain Aleksander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk and Gustav Forsling all under contract through at least the 2029-30 season.

The Florida Panthers have made a significant move by signing center Aleksi Lundell to a six-year contract extension. The 21-year-old Finnish player has been a key contributor to the Panthers’ success this season, and the team is clearly committed to keeping him in their lineup for the foreseeable future.

Lundell, who was selected by the Panthers in the first round of the 2020 NHL Draft, has quickly established himself as a top talent in the league. In his rookie season, he has impressed with his strong two-way play, excellent hockey IQ, and ability to contribute offensively.

By signing Lundell to a long-term contract extension, the Panthers are not only securing his services for the next six years but also showing their confidence in his potential to continue developing into a top-tier player. This move also demonstrates the team’s commitment to building a competitive roster and contending for a Stanley Cup in the coming years.

With Lundell locked up for the long term, the Panthers can now focus on building around him and continuing to improve their roster. His presence in the lineup will undoubtedly be a key factor in the team’s success moving forward, and fans can look forward to seeing him continue to grow and excel on the ice.

Overall, the signing of Aleksi Lundell to a six-year contract extension is a positive development for the Florida Panthers and their fans. It solidifies their commitment to building a competitive team and ensures that one of their top young talents will be a cornerstone of their roster for years to come.