Florida Panthers sign Evan Rodrigues to four-year deal

After signing nine players on Saturday, the Florida Panthers kicked off Sunday by signing one of the top players still on the market.

The Panthers announced they had signed Evan Rodrigues forward to a four-year deal worth $3 million per season. It’s the biggest contract they’ve signed so far this offseason, edging out Niko Mikkola’s $2.5 million cap hit for the next three years.

Rodrigues, 29, was a late-summer signing by the Colorado Avalanche last year, scoring 16 goals and 39 points for the second-best numbers of his career. The Etobicoke, Ontario native had 19 goals and 43 points with the Penguins two years ago, the best season of his career. He has had five points in each of his last two playoff runs, with both teams getting knocked out in seven games.

Rodrigues has played 385 games over eight seasons with Buffalo, Pittsburgh and Colorado, scoring 69 goals and 168 points. Rodrigues also has 70 points in 128 AHL games and was Canada East’s best player at the 2010 World Junior A Challenge, the only time he has represented Canada internationally.

Prior to turning pro, Rodrigues had a four-year run at Boston University, highlighted by a 21-goal, 61-point effort and a national championship in 2014-15. That led to his first NHL deal with Buffalo for the following season, and now he’s set for his biggest payday.

The Panthers have $362,499 in projected cap space, with Aaron Ekblad and his $7.5 million cap hit not expected to start the season on time due to injuries.