Ex-Rangers Defenseman Secures Multi-Year Contract Extension With The Reigning Stanley Cup Champions

Former Rangers defenseman Niko Mikkola has just landed a massive contract extension with the Florida Panthers on Thursday morning. As several reports confirm the 29-year defenseman has signed an eight-year, $40 million contract extension with the Panthers, that will begin during the 2026-27 season.

Mikkola signed with the Florida Panthers during the 2023 NHL offseason as a free agent, after coming off the 2022-23 season with the New York Rangers. Since then, he has truly established himself a valuable member of Florida's blueline.

The 29-year old has now won two Stanley Cups with the Florida Panthers, which is probably the main reasoning he was just locked up with a long-term contract extension.

Niko Mikkoa was originally acquired by the New York Rangers with Vladimir Tarasenko during the 2022-23 season from the St. Louis Blues.

The 6-foot-6 defenseman only played 31 games with the Rangers following the trade, where he managed to tally one goal and two assists for a total of 3 points. Along with this he recored 38 blocked shots, 55 hits, and a plus-4 rating.

He even managed to make seven playoff appearances for the New York Rangers in 2023, where he tallied those two assists and 12 penalty minutes.

Unfortunately, the New York Rangers decided not to resign the defenseman during free agency, which ultimately left him to sign with the Florida Panthers on July 1, 2023.