"Mikkola, 29, has found his game with the Panthers, where he was a key defensive cog in each of their Stanley Cup wins. He has appeared in 46 playoff games over the past two seasons, averaging 19:23 per contest. He also scored some clutch, if unlikely, goals, including the game winner in Game 3 of the 2025 Eastern Conference finals against the Carolina Hurricanes. At 6-foot-6, 205 pounds, Mikkola's brand blends physicality with strong skating."
"A native of Finland, Mikkola was selected by the St. Louis Blues in the fifth round (No. 127) of the 2015 NHL draft. After three seasons in St. Louis, he was traded to the New York Rangers in 2023 as part of the Vladimir Tarasenko deal. He signed a three-year, $7.5 million contract with the Panthers in 2023 as a free agent. This season is the final year of that deal; the extension will kick in for 2026-27."
The Florida Panthers are finalizing a long-term extension with defenseman Niko Mikkola that will keep the club's top four defensemen together through at least 2030. The deal could be announced imminently and will begin in 2026-27, after the current contract's final year. Mikkola, 29, played a key defensive role in both recent Stanley Cup wins, logging significant playoff minutes and scoring a pivotal goal in the 2025 Eastern Conference finals. The Panthers begin the new season without Matthew Tkachuk and captain Aleksander Barkov due to surgery recoveries. Mikkola is expected to join Finland for the 2026 Olympics.
Read at ESPN.com
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