October 2, 2025 | 10:00am ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

FLORIDA SIGNS MIKKOLA TO 8-YEAR EXTENSION

Niko Mikkola, defenceman

The Florida Panthers have agreed to terms with defenseman Niko Mikkola on an eight-year, $40 million contract extension.

“Niko has proven himself to be a dependable defenseman who uses his speed and physicality to impact both ends of the ice,” said Panthers GM Bill Zito. “He was an indispensable piece of our past two championship campaigns, and we are thrilled that Niko will be continuing his career with the Florida Panthers.”

Mikkola, 29, skated in 76 regular-season games with Florida in the 2024-25 season, producing career-highs in goals (6), assists (16), points (22) and plus-minus rating (plus-12). He led all Florida blueliners with 137 hits.

The native of Kiiminki, Finland has appeared in 328 regular season games between the Florida Panthers (2023-24 to 2024-25), New York Rangers (2022-23) and St. Louis Blues (2019-20 to 2022-23), recording 1 goals and 48 assists for 62 points, 649 hits and 438 blocked shots.

Originally selected in the fifth round (127th overall) by the St. Louis Blues in the 2015 NHL Draft, Mikkola won the Stanley Cup with the Panthers in 2024 and 2025.