The Florida Panthers have made a bold move to secure their future by re-signing 29-year-old forward Carter Verhaeghe to a long-term contract, ensuring his presence in the lineup for years to come. Verhaeghe, a key part of the Panthers’ core, has officially inked an eight-year extension that will keep him with the team through the 2032-33 season, adding even more stability to Paul Maurice’s 2024-25 squad.
Announced by Panthers president of hockey operations and general manager Bill Zito following the team’s season-opening 6-4 win over the Boston Bruins, the deal is worth an average of $7 million annually. Verhaeghe has become an indispensable player for Florida since signing with the team ahead of the 2020-21 season after his Stanley Cup-winning stint with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
While Verhaeghe had a limited role with the Lightning, his move to the Panthers saw him flourish, quickly joining the top-six forwards and establishing himself as one of the NHL’s elite scorers. Over 279 regular-season games with Florida, Verhaeghe has racked up an impressive 236 points (118 goals, 118 assists), including 16 game-winning goals. His clutch performances in the playoffs have been even more remarkable, netting 26 postseason goals, with 10 of those being game-winners. He led the Panthers with 11 goals during last season’s run to the Stanley Cup championship.
Reflecting on his journey, Verhaeghe expressed his gratitude: “Growing up, you dream of making the NHL and finding a place where you belong. For me, the Panthers have been that place, and I’m so honored to extend my time here. I’m incredibly thankful to the organization and to Bill Zito for believing in me.”
Florida Panthers owner Vincent Viola also showered praise on Verhaeghe during the team’s recent Stanley Cup ring ceremony, referring to him as a “stone-cold killer” on the ice, a true champion who embodies the heart of the Panthers’ success.
With this extension, Verhaeghe joins a core group of Panthers players locked in for the long haul. Fellow forward Sam Reinhart also signed an eight-year deal, while Aleksander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk, and Anton Lundell are all under contract through the 2029-30 season. Defenseman Gustav Forsling is secured through 2031-32, and other key players like Eetu Luostarinen and Evan Rodrigues are signed through the 2026-27 season.
Verhaeghe is thrilled to remain part of this close-knit group: “These guys are like family to me. Winning the Cup with them last year was incredible, and knowing we’ll continue to build together is amazing. The bonds we’ve formed here are for life.”
With Verhaeghe’s re-signing, the Panthers are primed for another deep playoff run, and expectations are high as they set their sights on back-to-back championships.
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