Erik Gudbranson re-signed by Panthers for one-year, $3.5M

The Florida Panthers have signed defenseman Erik Gudbranson to a one-year $3.5 million contract extension.

The deal gives Gudbranson a per-year raise of $1 million. The 24-year-old Gudbranson just finished a two-year, $5 million contract.

"We are very pleased to have signed Erik," Panthers general manager Dale Tallon said in a statement. "He is an important part of our young core who has continued to develop into a reliable, physical presence on our blue line and a strong leader in our locker room." 

Gudbranson, the third overall pick in the 2010 NHL Draft, had one of his better years this past season. The rugged, physical shutdown blueliner averaged a career-high 20:07 per-game in 64 games played. He scored two goals and added seven assists.

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"I'm very excited for another year with the Panthers," Gudbranson said in a statement. "We took great strides last season as a team and our group can only improve upon the success we had. It's a great time for the organization and I look forward to getting back on the ice with the team."

Staying healthy has been an issue with the 6-foot-4 Gudbranson. This year he missed eight games with an undisclosed issue, seven games with a lower body injury and then three games with an upper body injury. Gudbranson has never played more than 76 games in a season.

Signing Gudbranson is an important step for the Panthers as they try to determine their salary structure moving forward. Vincent Trochek (entry-level contract) who scored 25 goals this last season, is a pending restricted free agent this summer. Next offseason, forward Jonathan Huberdeau ($3.25 million salary cap hit) and defenseman Aaron Ekblad (entry-level contract) are both restricted free agents.

All three will likely see significant raises in their next deals.

Gudbranson is considered captain material for the team, and the Panthers reportedly will talk more about another extension after January 1 of next year.

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Josh Cooper is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @joshuacooper