Arguably the best remaining free agent defenseman has made his choice.

It was another major coup for the Florida Panthers on the second day of free agency, and very quickly they are starting to look like a team that will be a perennial contenders in the Eastern Conference.

The Panthers officially announced that they had acquired defenseman Jason Demers who many consider to be the top free agent defenseman that was left available on the market. While the Panthers did not reveal the financial details of the deals, Sportsnet insider Chris Johnston had the scoop.

Jason Demers has reached agreement on a $22.5-million, five-year contract with the Florida Panthers, Sportsnet has learned.

According to Johnston, Demers also took a pay cut, turning down bigger offers in order to sign with the Panthers, likely also viewing them as a team that will have multiple opportunities to compete for a title.

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