Florida

Panthers Sign Derek MacKenzie to Two-Year Extension

Derek MacKenzie is the latest member of the Panthers to sign a contract extension

The Florida Panthers signed forward Derek MacKenzie to a two-year contract extension on Wednesday.

The new deal will begin with the 2017-18 season as MacKenzie has one year left on his contract. While the Panthers do not disclose financial terms, the new extension is reported to be worth $2.7 million.

MacKenzie was a small but important part of the successful 2015-16 Panthers. The 35-year old scored six goals and had a total of 13 points. Putting the puck in the back of the net is just a bonus when it comes to MacKenzie. He provides Florida with some superb penalty killing ability and an advantage on faceoffs.

MacKenzie has been with Florida since the 2014-15 season and has 11 goals to go with 13 assists in that time. Last year, MacKenzie had a plus-7 ice rating which was one of the better marks on the team. Overall in his Florida career, his ice rating is a -10.

The forward was originally drafted by the Atlanta Thrashers in 1999 and spent a good amount of time in Columbus with the Blue Jackets as well. Over 13 NHL seasons, MacKenzie has amassed 42 goals and 53 assists.

Florida has been busy recently with signings and extensions. The Panthers in just the past week have extended the contracts of Vincent Trocheck, Aaron Ekblad and Reilly Smith. The team also came to terms with Jason Demers and James Reimer.

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