NHL Free Agency is in full force on this Canada Day for those of us in Canada, and, well, just Wednesday for others, but the signings are aplenty. The Florida Panthers have given a massive extension to one of their middle-six forwards. Eetu Luostarinen signs an eight-year extension with an average annual value of $5 million. A solid value contract that may not age well by the end of it, but will be very serviceable in the here and now. Let us discuss.
Luostarinen Signs Eight-Year Extension With Florida Panthers
Luostarinen has been an important fixture of the Panthers and was a member of their 2024 and 2025 Stanley Cup championship teams. Originally drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round in 2017, he was traded to Florida in a deal that sent Vincent Trocheck to Carolina. He has spent six seasons playing for Florida and has recorded 162 points in 447 career NHL games. He also notably recorded 19 points in 23 games in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Keeping Luostarinen means keeping a player who contributes very well defensively in many areas of the game, but most notably the penalty kill. Head Coach Paul Maurice has been very complimentary of his game, calling it “underrated“. That would be an accurate statement, given that a lot of his efforts are in the details that can go unnoticed. His two-way play is not dissimilar to that of his captain, Aleksander Barkov‘s, style of play, being extremely reliable in the process.
Eetu Luostarinen, signed 8x$5M by FLA, is a middle-six two-way forward who contributes very well defensively at 5v5 and on the penalty kill in tough matchup minutes. pic.twitter.com/lD4TkemoQ2
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) July 1, 2026
Undoubtedly, this is a discounted price because Luostarinen believes in the Panthers, and the Panthers believe in what he can give to the franchise. They know exactly what they are retaining in Luostarinen, which makes even this eight-year contract worth signing. General manager Bill Zito has been able to get these friendly discounts often from his players, which is a testament to the good work that he has done with the team.
Main Photo Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
