New Delhi, Oct. 2 -- The Florida Panthers have secured a key piece of their championship roster, signing defenseman Niko Mikkola to an eight-year contract extension, as announced by general manager Bill Zito on Thursday.

While financial details were not disclosed, the deal, which begins in the 2026-27 season, highlights the team's commitment to maintaining their defensive core as they chase a historic three-peat.

This move comes at a challenging time for the Panthers, who are without stars Matthew Tkachuk and captain Aleksander Barkov due to injuries.

At 29, Mikkola is coming off a career-best season, showcasing his value as a reliable two-way defenseman. In the previous season, he set personal NHL highs with six goals, 16 assists, and...