Florida Panthers
Florida Panthers Lock Down Paul Maurice with New Contract
SUNRISE — Paul Maurice was in the final year of his contract with the Florida Panthers.
Was, as in past tense.
On Tuesday, the Panthers announced a new multi-year contract for their revered head coach keeping him in South Florida for the foreseeable future.
“I had not thought of it once, was not particularly concerned about it,’’ Maurice said Tuesday night.
“There was really no negotiation. They made me a really nice offer, we shook hands, I said thank you and that was it.’’
Maurice, 57, signed a three-year deal with the Panthers in 2022 reportedly worth just under $4 million annually.
After leading the Panthers to the Stanley Cup for the first time, it is probably safe to think he is getting a raise.
The Panthers did not disclose financial information on the new contract.
The announcement came before Florida lost 5-1 to the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday night.
“I’m just thankful, and hopeful, I guess, that the ink dried on that thing,’’ Maurice said in his typical dry humor.
“No, I mean it is an honor and I am very thankful and appreciative to the Viola family not just for their generosity, but for the investment that they have made here over the years.
“To have such an incredible program — what’s that line? — I have been born on third so I can’t brag about the triple I just hit. This is a really good program. When I showed up, really good people and we have had success together and a lot of people have made that possible — the players, first and foremost.’’
This is Maurice’s 27th season as an NHL coach.
At 28, Maurice was the youngest coach in the NHL after he was promoted by the Hartford Whalers in 1995.
Maurice was the final coach in Whalers history, moving with the team when it relocated to North Carolina and became the Hurricanes.
He served two stints as coach of the Hurricanes — and led Carolina to the Stanley Cup Final in 2002.
“Paul has resolutely led our organization to unprecedented success during his relatively short tenure in South Florida,” GM Bill Zito said in a statement.
“He is a superb communicator and leader for our staff and players, possessing a keen strategic mind for the game. We are excited for Paul and his staff to continue to keep the Florida Panthers as a destination franchise for the foreseeable future.”
Maurice has coached 1,856 NHL regular-season games which ranks second to Scotty Bowman (2,141).
He has coached the Whalers/Hurricanes, Maple Leafs, and Jets, before signing on with the Panthers following their 2021-22 Presidents’ Trophy season.
Maurice’s 873 NHL wins ranks fourth all-time — although his losses (738) rank first.
Winning the Stanley Cup on June 24 rendered that last stat moot.
ON DECK: GAME NO. 8
MINNESOTA WILD AT FLORIDA PANTHERS
- When: Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.
- Where: Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise
- Local TV: Scripps Sports — WSFL 39 (Miami/Fort Lauderdale); WHDT 9 (West Palm); LAFF 36.3 (Naples/Fort Myers)
- Streaming: Panthers+; ESPN+
- Radio: WPOW 96.5-FM2; WBZT 1230-AM (Palm Beach); WCTH 100.3-FM (Florida Keys); SiriusXM
- Panthers Radio Streaming: SiriusXM 932, NHL App
- Local Odds — Panthers Favored: Money Line (-145); Puck line (-1.5, -155); Over/Under 6 (+100/-120)
- Last Season: Wild won 2-0
- This Season — At Minnesota: Dec. 18. At Florida: Tuesday.
- All-time Regular Season Series: Minnesota leads 20-10-2, 1 tie
- Up Next for the Panthers: Thursday at New York Rangers, 7 p.m.
