Florida Panthers Sign Forward to Contract Extension

The Florida Panthers signed one of their first-year players to a contract extension on Tuesday, inking Jesper Boqvist to a two-year deal worth $1.5 million annually.

Boqvist would have been a restricted free agent this summer with the Panthers being able to hold onto his rights.

By signing a two-year contract, Boqvist can be an unrestricted free agent in 2027.

The Panthers signed Boqvist to a one-year contract worth $775,000 on July 1 as part of the team’s revamping of the fourth line.

Boqvist has scored a career-high 12 goals in 59 games with the Panthers mostly in a bottom-6 role but has filled in on the top-6 as well.

Coach Paul Maurice said Boqvist got the attention of the Panthers when he was with Tomas Nosek and A.J. Greer on the Bruins’ fourth line during the 2023 playoffs. All three players are with the Panthers now.

Boqvist is one point away from tying his career high of 23 set during the 2021-22 season with New Jersey.

“He is what we hoped he would be,’’ Maurice said earlier this season. “We were very high on him going back to the playoffs two years ago

“He is the player now that we can move around. He can play center, he can play wing effectively, and he can play both sides. We know he has the skillset that he can play up the lineup and that is very valuable to us.”

ON DECK: GAME No. 63

COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS at FLORIDA PANTHERS

• When: Thursday, 7 p.m.
• Where: Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise
• Local TV: Scripps Sports — WSFL 39 (Miami/FtL); WHDT 9 (WPB); LAFF 36.3 (SW Fla)
• 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
• This Season (Panthers lead 1-0) — At Florida: Thursday. At Columbus: Panthers 4, Blues Jackets 3 (Oct. 15); March 20.
• Last Season: Panthers Won 3-0
• All-time Regular Season Series: Columbus leads 26-21-4
• Up Next for the Panthers: Saturday vs. Buffalo Sabres, 6 p.m.