The Florida Panthers have signed winger Brett Connolly to four a four-year deal worth $14 million on the first day of the hockey new year.
Connolly posted new career-highs with 22 goals and 24 assists in his third season with the Washington Capitals. He was part of that club’s 2018 Stanley Cup championship team.
The 27-year-old was originally drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round (6th overall) of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft and has amassed 196 points (79G/76A) in 427 games with the Bolts, Boston Bruins and Capitals.
The hope is the Panthers are catching Connolly entering his prime and that is output this past season wasn’t mainly the result of playing for a new contract,
Look for Connolly to slot on the Cats third line with the ability to play up if needed.