Over the weekend, the Florida Panthers signed defenseman Micheal Matheson to an eight-year contract extension worth $39 million. Matheson’s new deal will kick in next season and contains a modified no-trade clause for the final five years of the contract.
The Springfield Thunderbirds dropped their season opener to the Providence Bruins by a 5-2 count on Saturday at Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence. Ed Wittchow and Juho Lammikko scored for Springfield. Harri Sateri surrendered all 5 goals on 26 shots. Alexandre Grenier assisted on both goals, and Blaine Byron and Juho Lammikko also had helpers.