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Panthers busy on first day of free agency, agree to deals with Ekman-Larsson, Reilly and more

sam sklar, south florida sun-sentinel
·6 min read

NHL free agency opened Saturday at noon, and the Florida Panthers wasted no time making moves.

They quickly filled a need on defense with the signings of Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Mike Reilly, Dimitri Kulikov and Niko Mikkola. Kevin Stenlund was brought in as a depth forward and Grigori Denisenko re-signed, while Radko Gudas, Givani Smith and Alex Lyon signed deals elsewhere.

Anthony Stolarz was signed to replace Lyon and Lucas Carlsson was resigned on a two-way contract.

“We’re really happy,” Panthers general manager Bill Zito said. “We think we’ve added some significant veteran leadership, different types of players.”

Here’s a look a Florida’s moves on Saturday:

Oliver Ekman-Larsson

The Panthers are reportedly signing Ekman-Larsson at the opening of free agency to a one-year, $2.25 million deal.

Ekman-Larsson, 31, is a point-producing left-shot defenseman who was bought out of his contract two weeks ago by the Canucks. He had four years remaining on his deal, meaning he’s now a dead cap hit for Vancouver for the next eight years.

Filling out their defense was always going to be a need for the Panthers this summer with Gudas and Marc Staal being unrestricted free agents. That need became paramount after the Stanley Cup Final, when it was revealed that Aaron Ekblad likely will not be ready for the start of next season due to shoulder surgery. Brandon Montour is expected to miss time with an injury too, though that has yet to be officially confirmed by the Panthers.

Ekman-Larsson was the No. 6 draft pick in 2009 by the Coyotes, where he was one of the best offensive defensemen in the league. He led Arizona in points in back-to-back seasons in 2014 and 2015. In 2014-15, Ekman-Larsson led all defensemen in goals (23), game-winning goals (seven) and power-play goals (10).

Ekman-Larsson and winger Conor Garland were then traded to Vancouver in a massive swap two years ago that sent three players and three draft picks back to Arizona. Ekman-Larsson was named alternate captain and produced 29 points in 79 games in his first season as a Canuck.

However, Ekman-Larsson’s play fell off dramatically last season. He broke his foot during the 2022 World Championships that required rehabbing in the offseason. When the season rolled around, Ekman-Larsson was noticeably slower and much weaker defensively.

Ekman-Larsson then suffered a left ankle injury in February that ended his season. In 54 games, the former Canucks’ alternate captain scored two goals and added 20 assists.

But the good news is, the Panthers have a recent track record of getting production from defenseman in need of a fresh start.

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Montour, for example, was dealt from the Sabres to Florida during the 2020-21 season for a third-round pick. He broke out this season with 73 points and was a playmaker in the playoffs too. Gustav Forsling was put on waivers by the Hurricanes in 2021 and claimed by the Panthers. He had a career-high 41 points this past season and was steady defensively too.

By agreeing to just a one-year deal, Ekman-Larsson is betting on himself that he can return to form and receive a raise next year when the cap ceiling is expected to jump significantly.

Kevin Stenlund

Stenlund, a former Jet center, has agreed to a one-year, $1 million contract with the Panthers, according to Sportsnet.

The Forward split time last season between Winnipeg and the AHL’s Manitoba Moose. In 54 games for the Jets, he produced six goals and three assists.

Although previously a Jet, Stenlund did not cross paths with former Jets coach and current Panthers coach Paul Maurice. He did, however, connect with Zito in the Columbus Blue Jackets organization.

Stenlund was taken in the second round of the 2015 draft Columbus, where he split time between the NHL and AHL for five seasons. Zito joined the Blue Jackets front office in 2013 and was named the general manager of the Cleveland Monsters, the Blue Jackets’ AHL affiliate, in 2015.

Stenlund signed a one-year, $750,000 deal with the Jets last summer. He was a restricted free agent, but did not receive a qualifying offer from the Jets and became an unrestricted free agent at noon on Saturday.

Mike Reilly

Zito and the Panthers agreed to a one-year, $1 million deal with Reilly, according to The Sports Network.

Reilly, an eight-year pro, was bought out by the Bruins after he spent most of the season in the AHL.

He was a fourth-round pick by the Blue Jackets in 2011, but signed his entry-level contract with the Wild. Reilly was traded three times in three years going from the Wild to the Canadiens, then to the Senators, before landing with Boston for three seasons.

Reilly played just 10 NHL games last season, but will likely be needed by the Panthers to fill in for the injured defensemen.

Grigori Denisenko

Denisenko has resigned with the Panthers on a two-year, one-way deal worth $1.55 million.

Denisenko was a restricted free agent and received a qualifying offer from the Panthers at Friday’s deadline.

He spent most of the last season with the Charlotte Checkers, but appeared in 18 games for the Panthers, including Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final.

Niko Mikkola

The Panthers are bolstering their defensive core with Mikkola added to the mix.

According to PuckPedia.com, it’s a three-year deal worth $7.5 million.

Mikkola spent three and a half seasons with the Blues before being dealt to the Rangers along with Vladimir Tarasenko.

In 81 games last season, Mikkola recorded one goal and five assists.

Anthony Stolarz

Stolarz has been brought in as a backup goaltender on a reported one-year deal, according to The Hockey News.

He will likely slot in as the third-string goaltender behind Sergei Bobrovsky and Spencer Knight.

Stolarz has been in the league since 2014, most recently spending four seasons with the Ducks. He played in 19 games last year, posting a 3.73 goals-against average and .899 save percentage.

Lucas Carlsson

Carlsson was signed to a one-year, two-way contract.

He played a career-high 40 games for the Panthers in 2021-22, but appeared in just two games last season. In 61 games with the Checkers, Carlsson scored 20 goals to go along with 34 assists.

Dimitri Kulikov

Kulikov was drafted with the No. 14 pick by the Panthers in 2009, and is now returning to South Florida.

The 32-year-old left-shot defenseman has bounced around the league since leaving the Panthers in 2016. He first went to the Buffalo Sabres, then had stints with the Winnipeg Jets, New Jersey Devils, Edmonton Oilers, Minnesota Wild, Anaheim Ducks and Pittsburgh Penguins.

Kulikov is the fourth new defensemen to be signed by the Panthers on Saturday.

Gudas, Smith, Lyon sign elsewhere

Gudas agreed to a three-year, $12 million deal with the Ducks, according to Sportsnet.

Smith signed a two-year, $1.6 million deal with the Sharks. The Panthers chose to not extend him a qualifying offer on Friday.

Lyon singed a two-year, $1.8 million deal with the Red Wings.