Commit to Anton Lundell’s Future with a 6-Year Contract
The Florida Panthers’ celebration continues into July as they bask in their first-ever Stanley Cup Championship. The festivities peaked with a parade on Sunday, June 30. Amid the celebrations, the Panthers have been busy with free agency, managing to retain key players while bidding farewell to others.
One of the most notable successes is keeping forward Sam Reinhart, the hero who scored the Stanley Cup-clinching goal, with an eight-year contract extension. However, the Panthers lost valuable players like Brandon Montour, Ryan Lomberg, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and Vladimir Tarasenko.
Another significant win for the Panthers is securing forward Anton Lundell. Over the past three seasons, Lundell has become a crucial team member, both in the regular season and playoffs. Entering free agency as a restricted free agent, he recently signed a six-year contract extension worth an average of $5 million per season. This extension reflects the mutual commitment to maintaining a winning culture in South Florida.
Lundell Has Been a Standout Since He Was Drafted
As Bill Zito’s first pick as general manager, Lundell was selected 12th overall in the 2020 draft. This decision has proven immensely beneficial for the Panthers. In 213 regular-season games, Lundell has scored 43 goals and notched 69 assists. His postseason performance is equally impressive, with six goals and 22 assists in 54 playoff appearances.
Lundell has also excelled as a two-way forward, playing a key role on the penalty kill. Last season, he averaged 1:15 on the penalty kill and recorded a shorthanded assist. This was a significant decrease from his rookie season, where he averaged 2:20 per game. Throughout his career, he has three shorthanded goals and seven shorthanded points.
During the Panthers’ recent Stanley Cup run, Lundell was outstanding. In 24 games, he scored three goals and tallied 14 assists, achieving a plus-8 rating. He has proven to be a vital playoff performer for head coach Paul Maurice.
Lundell Is Barkov 2.0
Lundell’s two-way game is exceptional, largely influenced by his captain, Aleksander Barkov. Playing alongside Barkov on the penalty kill since his arrival in Sunrise, Lundell has developed into a formidable player. Like Barkov, Lundell can now add “Stanley Cup Champion” to his resume. At just 22 years old, he still has significant potential for growth.
Will Lundell See More Top-Six Minutes in the Future?
Drafted early in the first round in 2020, Lundell has spent his entire pro career in the NHL. Typically positioned on the third line, he has stepped up to top-six play when Barkov or forward Sam Bennett were injured. With Bennett entering the final season of his contract and other forwards departing in free agency, there may soon be opportunities for Lundell to take on a more prominent role.
Lundell was drafted for this very position and has performed admirably over his three seasons. His new contract is well-deserved, and he appears ready to embrace greater responsibilities. The future looks bright for Lundell as he continues to develop and contribute to the Panthers’ success.
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