Free agency recap: Panthers add depth forwards, sign Driedger, extend Reinhart, Kulikov
Florida also saw several key members of last season's team sign elsewhere
There will be some new faces wearing Florida Panthers sweaters when the new season arrives in a few months.
Monday was the first day of free agency, and there was quite a bit of movement across the NHL.
In addition to re-signing forward Sam Reinhart to an eight-year extension and Dmitry Kulikov to a four-year deal, Florida reached into the UFA pool and pulled out a few names, signing forwards Tomas Nosek, A.J. Greer and Jesper Boqvist.
The Cats also brought back a familiar face, signing former Panthers goalie Chris Driedger to a one-year deal.
After being lost to the expansion Seattle Kraken during the summer of 2021, Driedger is returning following a successful run to the Calder Cup Final with the Coachella Valley Firebirds last season.
“Chris is a talented, experienced and hard-working goaltender,” Panthers General Manager Bill Zito said in a statement. “We are excited for his return to the Florida Panthers organization.”
Nosek signed a one-year deal while Grier was locked down for two seasons.
Last year, Nosek played 36 games with the New Jersey Devils. He’s logged 107 points over 434 career games in the NHL.
“Tomas is an experienced veteran forward who plays a strong two-way game,” said Zito.
Nosek is good in the faceoff circle and will likely be a key part of Florida’s penalty kill next season.
Boqvist played 47 games in Boston last season and has 236 NHL games with the Bruins and Devils under his belt.
A solid two-way forward who can take faceoffs, Boqvist looks to be a strong depth addition to Florida’s bottom six.
“Jesper is a skilled, dynamic forward with a strong skating ability,” Zito said.
As for Greer, the 27-year-old logged a career-high six goals and tied a career-high with 12 points in 59 games last season in Calgary.
He’s racked up 167 NHL games between Colorado, New Jersey, Boston and Calgary after the Flames selected him in the second round of the 2015 NHL Draft.
“A.J. is an effective forward whose utilizes his size and strength at both ends of the ice,” Zito said.
The Panthers also handed out a couple contract extensions.
First there was Sam Reinhart, who signed a max-term eight-year deal with Florida before the midnight Monday deadline.
The extension, which is worth the nice dollar amount of $69 million, carries an $8.625 million AAV.
Florida also extended veteran defenseman Dmitry Kulikov.
The Panthers 2009 first round pick’s new deal comes with an AAV of $1.15 million.
Several players from Florida’s Stanley Cup winning roster who were unrestricted free agents found homes with new teams on Monday.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Anthony Stolarz each signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Kevin Stenlund went to Utah.
Brandon Montour got a nice big offer from the Seattle Kraken, and Ryan Lomberg received a nice pay increase from the Calgary Flames.
There are surely more moves to come, so don’t change that dial.
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