Florida Panthers Extend Derek MacKenzie for Two Years and Los Angeles Kings Sign Teddy Purcell for One Year

The Florida Panthers announced on Wednesday that they extended forward Derek MacKenzie for two more seasons in Sunrise. 

MacKenzie, 35, was entering the final year of his three-year deal. The contract extension is worth 2.7 million-dollars. 

The Sudbury, Ontario native scored six goals and seven assists in 64 games for the Cats during the 2015-2016 season. Three of his six tallies were game winners. He led the team in faceoff winning percentage, with a 54.8 percent and was second in hits on the Panthers with 154. 

Panthers’ general manager, Tom Rowe said, “Derek is a leader on our team and a true professional. His experience, work ethic and character make him a respected presence on the ice and around the organization.”

 

Forward, Teddy Purcell, who played for the Panthers and the Edmonton Oilers this past season, signed a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday, worth about 1.6 million-dollars. 

Purcell began his career with the Kings organization, when he was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played parts of three seasons with the Kings from 2007 to 2010. 

His offensive numbers recently have not come close to the totals he was able to put up with the Tampa Bay Lightning between 2010 and 2013. During the 2010-2011 season he was able to score 17 goals and 34 assists, in 2011-2012, he put up 24 goals and 41 assists.

 In the lockout shortened 2012-2013 season, he was able to light the lamp 11 times, while adding 25 assists in 48 games. Since then he has only been able to average about 13 goals and 40 points for the Lightning, Oilers and Panthers. 

The Panthers acquired Purcell at the 2016 National Hockey League trading deadline. Even though he was a right-handed shot, he spent his short stint with the Cats on the left side. The majority of his career he has been a right winger. 

Despite being given limited time on the power play and spending most of the season with the Oilers, who finished last in the Western Conference, he still managed to score 14 goals and 29 assists. 

The 30-year-old, Purcell can play on the first line when needed, but is more valuable to the team on the second or third line. He is a good scorer, who can help drive procession, has good hockey sense and can play on either wing, while helping to compliment and setup his linemates.