(Fort Lauderdale) Gustav Forsling came to the Florida Panthers four years ago simply hoping to break into their lineup.
He did much more than that.
Forsling — who leads the plus/minus column in the NHL this season — and the Panthers have agreed to an eight-year contract extension, the Florida club announced Thursday. He could have become an unrestricted free agent this summer, after having completed the last year of his three-year, eight million US contract.
“It sends the message that the guys who are here want to play here,” Panthers general manager Bill Zito said.
Forsling is now part of the Panthers’ core on offense, along with Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk. A source familiar with the deal said Forsling will pocket $46 million — or $5.75 million — over the life of the deal.
This person spoke on condition of anonymity to speak with The Associated Press because financial details have not been publicly revealed.
On the other hand, the Panthers have granted a two-year contract extension to forward Jonah Gadjovich.