Verhaeghe's ability to step up in the game's biggest moments is an invaluable asset that simply cannot be taught

It’s not easy to earn the kind of reputation that has followed around Carter Verhaeghe since he joined the Florida Panthers a few years back.

The 29-year-old is known throughout the NHL as one of the league’s premiere performers in clutch moments.

Nobody scores as often as Verhaeghe during the third period and his prowess for scoring big goals during the Stanley Cup Playoffs has been an incredible thing to witness.

He’s emerged over the past few seasons as one of the top wingers in the league while playing in Florida’s top six.

It’s incredible to think that when Florida initially signed Verhaeghe, he had barely scratched the surface on the NHL portion of his career.

Used sparingly in Tampa Bay, Verhaeghe earned his stripes in the AHL, once leading the league in scoring before being targeted by Panthers GM Bill Zito after becoming a free agent in 2020.

During his first season with Florida, Verhaeghe racked up 18 goals and 36 points in 43 games, quickly showing Zito and his staff that they had been correct in recognizing something in Verhaeghe worth investing in.

He has now accumulated 118 goals and 236 points during his 278 games with the Panthers.

The big story with Verhaeghe heading into the season is his contract status.

Verhaeghe is entering the final year of his current deal and will be an unrestricted free agent when it expires next summer.

If Zito and the Panthers are able to sign Verhaeghe to an extension, he would join core members Sasha Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Reinhart, Gus Forsling and Anton Lundell, who have all signed long-term deals with Florida. 

Earlier this week the Panthers put together an awesome compilation of Verhaeghe highlights. You can check it out below:

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfPeO-dqqFY[/embed]

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