Florida Panthers sign forward Samu Salminen to two-year deal

The Florida Panthers have signed forward Samu Salminen to a two-year, entry-level contract. The deal features an NHL average annual value (AAV) of $1.016 million with a $980,000 cap hit, alongside minor-league salary provisions through the 2027-28 season.

Salminen, a 23-year-old forward, previously played four seasons of collegiate hockey at the University of Connecticut and the University of Denver. After his final season with the Denver Pioneers, which included a national championship, he became an unrestricted free agent by filing paperwork to turn professional rather than returning for a fifth college year.

Originally selected by the New Jersey Devils in the third round of the 2021 NHL Draft, Salminen's rights were recently relinquished. Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing over 200 pounds, the Finnish player is noted for his versatility as both a physical center and a winger. During his collegiate career, he recorded 91 total points across 149 appearances.