Sunrise, Florida -- The Florida Panthers signed Russian forward Evgeni Malkin to a new five-year contract worth $28.5 million on Monday.
Malkin, who leads his team in goals and points, is entering the final year of his rookie contract with the Panthers. After practice on Monday Malkin and Florida GM IronMike ripped up his old deal and signed a replacement. The new deal is effective immediately.
"We are very excited to have Evgeni signed to a long-term contract," said Panthers general manager IronMike.
"This is an important signing for our club. We are overjoyed with Evgeni and with his devotion to the future of the franchise and the city. This signing continues to ensure the young core of this team can stay intact for years to come. I want to thank Evgeni and his agent Mark Kopsack."
Malkin was dealt to Florida from the Nashville Predators on January 22, 2006. Malkin followed up his Selanne Trophy-winning rookie campaign by scoring a league high 93 points. Which helped him win the Gretzky Award this past season.
He added 18 points in 20 playoff games, as the Panthers lost to the Vancouver Canucks in the ’06 NsHL Cup final.
Later on Monday the club also announced they had locked up goalie Tim Thomas to a four-year contract. Sources say the deal could be worth up to $11 million.
Thomas, 35, has played so well this season the Panthers were forced to set-up a two-man rotation system for their goalies.
"Timmy has become a mainstay in such a short time. Every start, every practice he works very hard to earn his playing time. Now his numbers are matching his committment," IronMike said.
"We now believe with Ty and Timmy we have the type of goalies to compete with anyone in the league."
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