Defenseman Erik Gudbranson agreed to terms on a two-year contract with the Florida Panthers on Thursday. Financial details were not released.
"Erik is an important part of our young core of talented players who we are pleased to have signed," general manager Dale Tallon told the Panthers website. "He is a big, strong and physical defenseman who is one of the building blocks for our team. We look forward to his continued development and his contributions to the South Florida community."
Gudbranson, a restricted free agent, had three goals and nine points in 65 games averaging 17:58 of ice time. He led the Panthers with 158 hits and was fifth with 91 blocked shots. He had one goal and a plus-7 rating in eight games with Canada at the 2014 IIHF World Championship.
The third pick of the 2010 NHL Draft by the Panthers, the 22-year-old has five goals, 21 points and 239 penalty minutes in 169 NHL games, all with Florida.