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Florida Panthers, Defenseman Niko Mikkola Agree to 8-Year Extension

Niko Mikkola signed an eight-year, $40 million extension to remain a core defenseman for the Panthers through 2034, contributing to their back-to-back Stanley Cup titles.

  • Florida Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola agreed on Thursday to an eight-year, $40 million extension starting in the 2026-27 season after his 2025-26 final contract year.
  • Panthers general manager Bill Zito said Niko has proven to be a dependable defenseman who uses speed and physicality, becoming indispensable in the back-to-back Stanley Cup championships.
  • At 6-foot-6 and 205 pounds, Niko Mikkola pairs size with strong skating and led Florida defenders last year with 137 hits and 88 blocked shots.
  • The extension means the Panthers would lock their top-four defensemen through at least 2030 and free resources to smooth negotiations with pending unrestricted free agent Sergei Bobrovsky.
  • The Panthers' prospect pool lacks blue-chip players, and Mikkola would be 38 at deal expiry, influencing long-term roster planning.
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Florida adds another long-term deal, giving Niko Mikkola an eight-year, $40 million extension

The Florida Panthers have agreed to an eight-year, $40 million contract extension with defenseman Niko Mikkola.

·United States
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Sportsnet broke the news in Canada on Thursday, October 2, 2025.
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