This former Tampa Bay Lightning forward got his big payday.
The Florida Panthers have signed former Tampa Bay Lightning forward Carter Verhaeghe to an eight-year, $56 million ($7 million AAV) contract.
Verhaeghe, 29, was one of the top pending unrestricted free agents for the 2025 NHL off-season. However, he will now officially not hit the free-agent market and instead be a part of the Panthers' roster for many more years to come.
Seeing the Panthers keep Verhaeghe around is not surprising in the slightest. Since joining them during the 2020 NHL off-season, he has been outstanding. In 279 games over five seasons with the Panthers, he has 118 goals and 236 points.
Before joining the Panthers, Verhaeghe played his first NHL season with the Lightning. In 52 games with the Bolts, the 6-foot-2 forward had nine goals, 13 points, and 29 hits. He also appeared in eight playoff games during the Lightning's 2020 Stanley Cup championship run, posting two assists.
Nevertheless, Verhaeghe blossomed into a star after leaving Tampa Bay and getting a more significant chance with the Panthers. Now, he has been rewarded for it, and he will continue to be a core member of the Panthers from here.
