Welcome to LWOS Hockey’s summer series. After the historic 2016 NHL Free Agency period, it’s a good time to look at the best free agent signing in the history of all 30 NHL franchises. Up next: The all-time best Florida Panthers free agent signing.
Make sure to check out the previous articles in our 2016 summer series here.
The All-time Best Florida Panthers Free Agent Signing
1995 – Terry Carkner: Two years, $1.2 Million
The Florida Panthers are a team that historically has built their ranks through skilled trades and drafting. Such a strategy usually leaves a slim pool of free agent signings. Though, in recent years, the Florida Panthers have increased their trips into the free agent signing pool as theyattempt to bring consistency and a winning attitude to their club.
Terry Carkner was one of the early free agency success stories for the Panthers. He was signed just prior to the team’s most successful season to date. Though his original deal was just for two years, Carkner remained with the Panthers until his retirement following the 1999 season.
The Player
Before turning pro, he spent three seasons with the OHL‘s Peterborough Petes; playing 184 games with 30 goals and 100 assists.
Carkner, a defenseman, entered the NHL in the 1984 Entry Draft as a first round, 14th overall pick by the New York Rangers. He subsequently made his NHL debut on October 15, 1986 versus the Chicago Blackhawks. His first season was split between the Rangers and their AHL affiliate, the New Haven Nighthawks. During this campaign, he led the Rangers with 14 major penalties and while playing 52 games, the most Rangers rookie that season. In total, between both clubs, he played 64 games with four goals and 19 assists.
On September 30, 1987, the Rangers traded Carkner to the Quebec Nordiques along with Jeff Jackson for John Ogrodnick and David Shaw. He remained consistent in his sophomore season by logging 63 games, three goals, and 24 assists.
Following the 1987-1988 season, he would once again be traded, this time to the Philadelphia Flyers. As a member of the Flyers, Carkner would play a total of five seasons with 376 games and 132 points (29 goals, 103 assists). During his tenure, he would also log 867 penalty minutes. He was the defensive team leader in points (43), goals (11) and assists (32) in the 1988-89 season. The Flyers would reward his tenacity, leadership, and team play in 1989 when by naming him an alternate captain.
Unfortunately, the 1989-1990 season also began a string of bad luck with injuries. He missed the start of that season due to torn cartilage in his left knee, requiring surgery. This delayed his season start until November. Then, on February 28, in a game against the Vancouver Canucks, Carkner suffered a bruised ankle. This injury would sideline him for another week. However, this season could be described as his career year as he scored 11 goals and helped the team reach the the semi-finals in the playoffs.
The 1991-1992 season brought about more difficulties with injuries and a four-game suspension following an incident in which he swung his stick at New Jersey Devils’ Randy McKay‘s cheek. Despite these struggles, Carkner established himself as a fearless and tough player, perhaps the toughest on a team loaded with size.
In 1993, the Flyers traded him to the Detroit Red Wings for Yves Racine and a 4th-round draft choice. He remained with Detroit for two seasons and served as their representative to the NHLPA during 1994-95 NHL lockout. His final season in Detroit was his most difficult as he would only appear in 20 games.
The Deal
After completing their second season in the NHL, the Panthers were a frustrated franchise. For the second straight season, they had missed the playoffs by one point. They were searching for answers in how to overcome that final hurdle. In the 1994-1995 season, the team found themselves shut out five times and was last in the league in scoring.
Carkner, meanwhile, had established himself as one of the more physical defensemen in the league, despite his troubles in Detroit. After completing his second season there, Carkner became an unrestricted free agent. On August 17, 1995, he came to terms with Florida on a two-year, $1.2 million contact.
The Result
The signing proved to be immediately beneficial to both parties. At age 29, Carkner, mainly paired with Robert Svehla, was a steady presence, playing in 73 regular-season games and scoring three goals and 10 assists. In an October 21 meeting against the Hartford Whalers, he would reach a season high two assists. His +10 rating was among the best among the Florida defense and second-highest on the club. In the post-season, Carkner appeared in all 22 games in the team’s surprising run to the 1996 Stanley Cup finals. They finished the regular season with a 41-31-10 record.
The Panthers entered the 1996 playoffs as the number four seed, finishing third in the Atlantic Division. After emerging victorious against the Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers, and the Pittsburgh Penguins, they became Eastern Conference Champions and winners of the Price of Wales trophy. In their first appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals, they would lose in a four-game sweep to the Colorado Avalanche. In the post-season run, Carkner would amass four assists with a +8 rating.
Following up the Cup Run
1996-1997 held high expectations for the Panthers, though the team would not find the same success as it did the previous year. Carkner, however, continued his steady presence and tallied 14 assists throughout 70 games. The Panthers would make it to the post-season once again, this time facing the New York Rangers in the opening round. However, the Rangers would eliminate them in five games. Carkner appeared in all five games, but would not score any points.
In 1997-98, Carkner, fresh off signing a new contract extension, scored one goal on 34 shots, a game winner in a 4-3 decision over the New York Rangers on December 12. He registered seven assists on the campaign with a plus-6 rating and 63 penalty minutes. He made a season high two assists on November 26 as the Panthers destroyed the Boston Bruins, 10-5.
Finishing his time In Florida
During his final season, Carkner continued to be a go-to member of the defensive corps. He averaged 18:14 of ice team through 62 games. In total, he scored two goals with nine assists and an even rating. After the 1998-1999 season, the Florida Panthers allowed Carkner to be released to free agency. It was at this time that Carkner decided to retire.
While Carkner was not the highest point producer, he was an integral part of the team. He was a solid force on the team’s back end and a key piece of the team, especially during the Cup run. He contributed four seasons of his career to the club totaling 279 games, six goals, 40 assists for 46 points with a plus-12 rating.
Make sure to check out the previous articles in our 2016 summer series here.
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