Panthers lock up a key member of their young core

This just in, the Florida Panthers have signed forward Eetu Luostarinen to a three year contract extension starting in 2024-25 worth $3 million annually. Luostarinen still has one more year (2023-24) left on a contract that pays him $1 million. So, in effect, the Panthers have locked up Luostarinen for the next four seasons at a very, very, very reasonable number.

The 24 year old posted a career high 17 goals and 43 points in 82 contests for the Panthers this past season. He added five points in 16 playoff games during the Panthers' run to the Stanley Cup Final.

"Eetu is a dynamic two-way center whose speed and strength allow him to excel on any line," general manager Bill Zito wrote in a statement on the team's website.

"His consistency and dependability are a great asset to our forward group, and we are excited about what he can continue to bring to our lineup in the coming seasons."

Originally drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2nd round (42nd overall) of the 2017 NHL Draft, Luostarinen was shipped to the Panthers in 2020 in a package deal for forward Vincent Trocheck.

Luostarinen represents part of the Panthers' strong young forward core alongside the likes of Aleksander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Reinhart, Sam Bennett, Carter Verhaeghe and Anton Lundell... all under 30 years old.