Oct 12, 2024; Buffalo, New York, USA; Florida Panthers center Jesper Boqvist (70) waits for the face-off during the third period against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center. (Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/8b5190e7-33a6-40b5-9ae3-7f213d7b4c38.jpeg] Oct 12, 2024; Buffalo, New York, USA; Florida Panthers center Jesper Boqvist (70) waits for the face-off during the third period against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center. (Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images) The Florida Panthers continue to make moves that shore up the team's future. Panthers General Manager Bill Zito has been working hard to build the Panthers into a franchise with sustainable success for years to come. On Tuesday, the team locked up another piece of the puzzle, signing forward Jesper Boqvist to a two-year contract extension. The deal comes with a very team-friendly average annual value (AAV) of $1.5 million, which is a nice raise for Boqvist, who signed a one-year deal worth $775,000 with Florida back on July 1. “Jesper has proven to be a highly competitive and dynamic forward who can be used in all situations,” Zito said in a statement released by the team. “He fits seamlessly with our group, and we are excited to have him continue his career with the Florida Panthers.” Boqvist's combination of speed, grit and versatility has allowed Florida's coaching staff to use him across all of their forward lines, though much of his time has come in the bottom six. Lately he's been seeing time on a productive line with Anton Lundell and Eetu Luostarinen. Through 59 games so far this season, Boqvist has logged a career-high 12 goals and is one point away from matching his career-high of 23 points. He would have been a restricted free agent at the end of this season, but instead will now become an unrestricted free agent following the 2026-27 campaign. Boqvist and the Panthers will be back in action on Thursday night when they host the Columbus Blue Jackets at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise. LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA Three takeaways: Sasha Barkov shows hunger to score, Seth Jones kills on PK [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/three-takeaways-sasha-barkov-shows-hunger-to-score-seth-jones-kills-on-pk] Seth Jones draws strong reviews from teammates, Paul Maurice following Panthers debut [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/seth-jones-draws-strong-reviews-from-teammates-paul-maurice-following-panthers-debut] Barkov, Bobrovsky come up big as Panthers take down streaking Lightning [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/game-day/barkov-bobrovsky-come-up-big-as-panthers-take-down-streaking-lightning] Bill Zito, Panthers not likely done ahead of Trade Deadline after acquiring Seth Jones [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/bill-zito-panthers-not-likely-done-ahead-of-trade-deadline-after-acquiring-seth-jones] Seth Jones 'extremely excited' to join Panthers, will be eased into team's defensive systems [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/seth-jones-extremely-excited-to-join-panthers-will-be-eased-into-teams-defensive-systems]
