Florida Panthers Secure Future: Niko Mikkola Signs 8-Year Contract Extension!

SUNRISE, Fla. – The Florida Panthers are keeping Niko Mikkola around. Team President Bill Zito just announced an eight-year contract for the defenseman starting in the 2026-27 season.

“Niko has shown he’s a solid defenseman. His speed and physical play make a real difference on both ends,” Zito said. “He’s been vital to our last two championship runs. We’re excited he’ll continue his journey with us.”

At 29, Mikkola had a standout performance last season. He played 76 regular-season games, scoring a career-best six goals and adding 16 assists for a total of 22 points. He also led the Panthers’ defensemen with 137 hits and was second on the team with 88 blocked shots.

In the thrilling 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Mikkola tallied six points over 22 games, including a key game-winning goal against Carolina in the Eastern Conference Final. His playoff stats hit new highs with 20:13 of ice time per game, three goals, and three assists.

Mikkola stands tall at 6-foot-6 and weighs 204 pounds. He’s played a total of 328 regular-season games across his NHL career with the Panthers, Rangers, and Blues, scoring 62 points. Among those games, he has registered 649 hits and 438 blocked shots.

On the international scene, Mikkola represented Finland at the 2025 NHL 4 Nations Face Off, where he contributed an assist. He also shined at the 2019 IIHF World Championship, helping Finland secure gold and earning recognition as one of the Top Three Players on the team. Prior to that, he won gold at the 2016 IIHF U20 World Junior Championship.

Mikkola was initially selected in the fifth round of the 2015 NHL Draft by the St. Louis Blues. Before joining the NHL, he played three years with KalPa and one year with Tappara in Finland’s Liiga, where he won silver medals in back-to-back seasons.

As the back-to-back 2024 and 2025 Stanley Cup Champions, the Florida Panthers continue to build a winning team.

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