July 28, 2008 | 2:01pm ET
Panthers, Bouwmeester agree to 1-year deal TheFourthPeriod.com
The Florida Panthers have avoided arbitration with defenseman Jay Bouwmeester, agreeing to terms on a one-year contract worth around $5 million.
The Panthers were hoping to sign Bouwmeester to a long-term contract, but it's believed that the star blueliner is intent on leaving South Florida.
Panthers GM Jacques Martin is hoping otherwise.
"I'm glad Jay is on board," Martin told the Miami Herald. "Sometime during the season, I hope to get it long-term. We're progressing. We want to have a good start to the season, then address the issue."
Bouwmeester, 24, notched 15 goals and 22 assists for 37 points in 82 games with the Panthers last season.
In 389 career NHL games, the Edmonton native has accumulated 38 goals and 123 assists for 161 points
This is a tricky situation. On the surface, it looks good that the two sides avoided arbitration (nobody enjoys going through that). But Bouwmeester wasn't happy in Florida, or so it appears. Even if he want the arbitration route, he would have still received a one-year deal. Now, the Panthers must wait and see if they can convince Bo to stay long-term. If the team can prove it's a winner, or can compete, it might change his mind. Then again, he might be set on leaving, regardless, which gives the Panthers until late-February to trade him.
