Uvis Balinskis signed a two-year contract with the Florida Panthers on Friday. Financial terms were not disclosed.
The 29-year-old defenseman has eight points (one goal, seven assists) in 36 games with the Panthers this season and could have become an unrestricted free agent after the season.
"It feels great," Balinskis said. "The team is great, staff is great, guys are great. Easy decision to stay here. To be part of this group, part of this championship team (last season), it's great that I had an opportunity to come here and be part of this organization."
Signed by Florida as an undrafted free agent on April 18, 2023, Balinskis has 29 points (six goals, 23 assists) in 138 regular-season games and one goal in five Stanley Cup Playoff games with the Panthers and won the Stanley Cup last season.
"Uvis has proven his ability to be a dependable NHL blueliner on a consistent basis," Panthers general manager Bill Zito said. "He possesses a relentless work ethic, and we are excited that he will continue his career with the Panthers."
Balinskis was previously named to Team Latvia for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.
"It's his personality it's his character, that's what that contract is," Panthers coach Paul Maurice said. "He has worked so hard to get better. He's handled long stretches out of our lineup and come in in the playoffs in big games and performed very well. He competes in the manner that we like to have our hockey team complete. So it's great that those guys get rewarded too."
The Panthers (24-18-3) visit the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday (7 p.m. ET; FDSNSO, SCRIPPS, SNO, TVAS).
