The Florida Panthers announced today that they’ve signed defenseman Erik Gudbranson to a one-year contract extension.
#FlaPanthers Re-Sign Defenseman Erik Gudbranson (@Guddy44)
> https://t.co/6GsLNV0DZI pic.twitter.com/yuksmXjSd9— Florida Panthers PR (@FlaPanthersPR) May 9, 2016
Gudbranson, 24, was Florida’s first-round draft pick (3rd overall) in the 2010 entry draft. He played 64 games for the Panthers this season, netting two goals and nine total points. Since 2010, he has played a total of 309 games for Florida in which he recorded 11 goals and 43 points. At 6-foot-4 and 214-pounds, Gudbranson is known more for his physical play and stay-at-home defensive approach. He has 346 penalty minutes in his NHL career.
Gudbranson also played in all six postseason games this season when the Panthers faced the New York Islanders.
According to Chris Johnston of Sportsnet, Gudbranson’s new deal will pay him $3.5 million next season, which is $1 million more than his expiring deal which carried a $2.5 million cap hit for the past two seasons.
