Panthers sign defenceman Niko Mikkola to three-year, $7.5M contract

Sportsnet Staff @SportsnetJuly 01, 2023 - 8:42pm

New Jersey Devils' Jack Hughes, left, shoots the puck past New York Rangers' Niko Mikkola during the second period of Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Newark, N.J., Tuesday, April 18, 2023. (Seth Wenig/AP)

The Florida Panthers have signed defenceman Niko Mikkola to a three-year, $7.5 million deal.

Mikkola was dealt from the St. Louis Blues to the New York Rangers last season. He has played in 170 career games for the two teams, registering 23 points.

The 27-year-old defenceman was drafted by the Blues in the fifth round of the 2015 NHL Draft.

"Niko's tough, physical presence and skating ability make him a great complement to our blueline," said Panthers GM Bill Zito in a team release. "We are looking forward to welcoming him to South Florida."

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