Florida Panthers Sign Defenseman Keith Yandle to Seven Year Contract

The Florida Panthers announced on Wednesday night that they have reached an agreement on a seven-year deal with newly acquired defenseman, Keith Yandle. 

The Panthers acquired the rights to Yandle as part of a trade with the New York Rangers on Monday. ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun reported that the contract is worth an about 6.35 million per season. The deal also includes a no-movement clause for the first six years of his contract. 

As part of the deal that brought Yandle to Sunrise, sending the Rangers a sixth round draft pick in the 2016 National Hockey League Draft, New York will also receive a conditional fourth rounder in 2017. 

This past season with the Rangers, Yandle scored five goals and 42 assists while patrolling the Rangers blue line. He was a minus-4 for New York as well. 

Yandle arrived in New York as part of a trade with the Arizona Coyotes on March 1, 2015. The Rangers gave up defenseman John Moore, forward Anthony Duclair as well as their 2016 first round draft pick and 2015 second round pick in order to get Yandle along with defenseman Chris Summers and a 2015 fourth rounder in return. 

Panthers co-owner, Doug Cifu told the Miami Herald, “We are thrilled. This shows that the top players want to win in Florida. Keith wants to win the Stanley Cup in Florida. That is why we were his top priority and vice-versa.”

In 661 career regular season games, the Boston native has put up 72 goals and 297 assists. He also has added six goals and 25 assists in 51 playoff games.