An eight-year contract worth 56 million dollars has been signed.
The 29-year-old forward has become a crucial player for the Panthers since joining the team in 2020 on a modest two-year deal.
This contract extension reflects his outstanding performance, which includes two consecutive seasons of 70+ points and a Stanley Cup victory. His story parallels that of Jonathan Marchessault, another player who flourished after leaving the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Many are asking if the Montreal Canadiens overlooked an opportunity with Carter Verhaeghe. BPM Sports analyst Anthony Marcotte noted that Verhaeghe showed clear potential during his time with the Canadiens when they could have kept him.
Now, with 289 points in 340 games with the Panthers, Verhaeghe is recognized as one of the best finds for the team in the past decade. For Montreal fans, his success could be disheartening, but the acquisitions of players like Tyler Toffoli and Corey Perry during that period still bolstered the team.
Carter Verhaeghe, standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 185 pounds, hails from Toronto and was selected in the third round by the Maple Leafs in 2013. He has recorded 249 points in 334 career NHL games, spending his entire career in Florida with both the Panthers and the Lightning.
He was a significant contributor to the Panthers’ Stanley Cup win last June, tallying 72 points in 76 regular-season games and 21 points in 24 playoff games last season.
This signing is a substantial addition for Bill Zito’s roster.
