Niko Mikkola signed an eight-year contract with the Florida Panthers on Thursday. Financial terms were not disclosed for the deal, which begins with the 2026-27 season.

The 29-year-old defenseman set NHL career highs in goals (six), assists (16), points (22), plus/minus (plus-12), shots on goal (116) and ice time per game (20:12). He led the Panthers in hits (137) and was second in blocked shots (88), one behind defenseman Gustav Forsling .

Mikkola, who is entering the last of a three-year contract he signed with Florida on July 1, 2023, had six points (three goals, three assists) in 22 Stanley Cup Playoff games last season to help it win the Cup for the second straight season.

"Niko has proven himself to be a dependable defenseman who uses his speed and physicality to impact both en

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