Carter Verhaeghe, a key player for the Florida Panthers during their Stanley Cup victory last season, has signed a lucrative eight-year contract extension worth $56 million. The announcement of this deal came following the Panthers’ thrilling 6-4 win over the Boston Bruins in their season opener, where the team also raised their championship banner.
At 29 years old, Verhaeghe is currently in the final year of a contract with a salary cap hit of $4,166,667. The new agreement, set to begin in the 2025-26 season, carries an average annual value of $7 million. Reports suggest that the contract includes $48 million in guaranteed signing bonus money and provides Verhaeghe with trade protection.
General manager and hockey operations president Bill Zito expressed his enthusiasm about Verhaeghe’s commitment to the team, stating, “This guy’s a Florida Panther. We’re very blessed to have him.” Verhaeghe joined the Panthers as a free agent in October 2020 after winning the Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2019-20 season. In his time with the Panthers, he has amassed an impressive 236 points, including 118 goals, across 278 games.
During the postseason, Verhaeghe has been a standout performer for Florida, recording 53 points in 61 playoff games. His contributions were particularly notable during the Panthers’ Stanley Cup triumph last season, where he notched 11 goals and 10 assists in 24 games. Verhaeghe has also scored 10 game-winning playoff goals for the team, including a memorable overtime winner in Game 7 against the Bruins in 2023.
Reflecting on his extended tenure with the Panthers, Verhaeghe expressed his gratitude towards the organization, stating, “To be a Florida Panther for this long already is a huge honor for me. To even extend it longer, I’m just so grateful to the organization.” The player’s commitment to the team was reinforced during a special moment at the Panthers’ championship ring ceremony, where owner Vincent Viola assured Verhaeghe of his continued presence within the organization.
While Verhaeghe did not register a point in the season opener against the Bruins, his impact on the team’s success is undeniable. With players like Sam Bennett and Aaron Ekblad also facing potential free agency after this season, Verhaeghe’s long-term commitment to the Panthers is a significant boon for the franchise’s future success.