The Florida Panthers have officially locked in a key piece of their core, announcing that star center Anton Lundell has agreed to a monster contract extension worth $8.5 million annually. The multi-year deal ensures that the 23-year-old Finnish forward will remain in Sunrise for the long haul, solidifying the Panthers’ already dangerous forward group.
The Deal
According to team sources, Lundell’s extension spans seven years with an average annual value (AAV) of $8.5 million, totaling $59.5 million. The deal includes a modified no-trade clause in the final three years, showing the team’s full commitment to Lundell as a foundational player.
This marks one of the richest contracts ever given to a player drafted outside the top 10 by the Panthers and is widely seen as a proactive move by GM Bill Zito to keep the Panthers’ championship window wide open.
From Promising Prospect to Two-Way Star
Lundell, the 12th overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, has blossomed into one of the NHL’s most reliable two-way centers. Known for his hockey IQ, defensive awareness, and growing offensive instincts, Lundell took a major step forward in the 2024–25 season, putting up a career-high 62 points (24 goals, 38 assists) in 82 games while continuing to play critical minutes on the penalty kill and in late-game situations.
His versatility — being able to play up and down the lineup — has made him invaluable to head coach Paul Maurice’s system. Whether centering the third line or stepping into the top six due to injuries, Lundell has consistently delivered.
Panthers’ Commitment to Their Core
Lundell’s extension comes on the heels of Florida’s impressive 2024–25 campaign, where they made another deep playoff run, proving that their 2023 Stanley Cup Final appearance was no fluke. With Matthew Tkachuk, Aleksander Barkov, and Sam Reinhart all under contract, locking in Lundell provides further stability and cap certainty.
GM Bill Zito released the following statement:
“Anton is a player who represents everything we value in this organization — intelligence, toughness, consistency, and a team-first mentality. He’s already one of the best young centers in the league, and we believe he’s just getting started.”
Lundell Reacts
In a press conference following the announcement, Lundell expressed his excitement and loyalty to the team that drafted him:
“Florida is home. I’ve grown so much here as a player and a person, and I want to win here. We have the group to do something special, and I’m proud to be a part of it for the long term.”
What This Means for the Panthers
Lundell’s cap hit of $8.5 million is seen by analysts as a smart investment given his trajectory and his elite defensive play, which often doesn’t show up fully on the scoresheet. As the salary cap continues to rise, this deal could age very well for Florida, especially if Lundell continues developing into a Selke Trophy-caliber center.
Final Word
It is done: Anton Lundell, one of the NHL’s most promising young centers, is staying in South Florida — and the Panthers just got a whole lot more dangerous for years to come.
With a Stanley Cup within reach and their young core locked in, the message out of Sunrise is clear: Florida is here to stay.
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