Vincent Trocheck lands 6 year, $28.5-million deal

After signing Aaron Ekblad to an eight year, $60-million dollar extension earlier this week and inking free agent Jason Demers to a five year, $22.5-million contract today, the Florida Panthers are opening up their wallet again to secure their future.

Now on the receiving end of the team’s generosity is restricted free agent Vincent Trocheck. The soon-to-be 23-year-old forward signed a six year, $28.5-million deal as reported by Sportsnet’s Elliott Friedman. The contract carries an average annual value of $4.75-million; however, specifics of the deal are yet to be released.

Trocheck missed the final six regular season games and four playoff games after breaking his ankle blocking a shot. He returned for the final two games of the Panthers playoffs series loss against the New York Islanders. The forward was a part of the wrong end of playoff history in Game 6 as he dropped to the ice as he tried for an empty net goal and it was ignored by the referees. Mass chaos ensued.

Drafted in the third round of the 2011 draft, Trochek is among the growing crop of budding superstars developed by the Panthers. He is coming off of his career best season with 53 points (25 G, 28A) in 76 games played. Trocheck was fifth on the team in total points and tied with Riley Smith for third in goals scored.

Looking at General Fanager, the Panthers have their lineup locked up for the upcoming season and are bumping right up against the salary cap to do so.

Needless to say, this ain’t your mama’s Florida Panthers.

Ownership believes in what they have and are willing to spend in order to keep that group together. In a text with Harvey Fialkov of the Sun Sentinel, Panthers co-owner Doug Cifu said as much:

Looking ahead to the Cats offseason next year, George Richards of the Miami Herald points out that Riley Smith and Jonathan Huberdeau are next up for long term extensions. They’re both inked through this coming season and will be restricted free agents as season’s end.

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Jen Neale is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow her on Twitter! Follow @MsJenNeale_PD.