The Florida Panthers have announced that they’ve signed defenseman Michael Matheson to an eight-year contract worth a reported $39 million.
Matheson, a former first round pick (23rd overall) by the Panthers in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft played his first full season with the team in 2016-17, putting up seven goals and 17 points in 81 games. With his new deal, he figures to be a big part of the Panthers’ defence corps alongside Aaron Ekblad for the better part of the next decade.
While Matheson has so far proven himself to be a capable NHL defenseman, is this an overpayment by the Panthers and GM Dale Tallon? The length of the deal will certainly raise some eyebrows around the league.
