The Florida Panthers keep doing it.
The two-time defending Stanley Cup champions struck again on a long-term value extension Thursday, inking Niko Mikkola to an eight-year deal. Per a league source, the contract carries a $5 million AAV, which is a bargain for the towering defenseman’s services.
More of Mikksy!
📝 » https://t.co/XJRqf2bYus pic.twitter.com/GvqZ84ahwd
— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) October 2, 2025
It is a raise over the $2.5 million he’s earning this season on the last year of his current contract. Mikkola would have been a UFA next summer, but given where salaries are going in the new NHL salary-cap landscape, inking him at a $5 million cap hit for eight years is great value for a top-four defenseman who is expected to represent Finland in the upcoming Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, after playing for his country in the 4 Nations Face-Off last season.
The 6-foot-6, 29-year-old averaged just over 20 minutes a game both in the regular season and playoffs last season, a sturdy, physical force on that Panthers blue line.
His extension continues a trend for the Panthers, who have seen the likes of Sam Reinhart (in 2024) and Sam Bennett (2025) forgo bigger paydays on the UFA market to stay put. And there is no greater example of Florida’s bargain deals than No. 1 blueliner Gustav Forsling and his eight-year deal at a $5.75 million AAV, which was signed in March 2024.
The Panthers could use some good news after losing superstar captain Sasha Barkov long term to a serious knee injury, although the champs intend to do all they can to three-peat.
(Photo: Carmen Mandato / Getty Images)
Oct 2, 2025
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