Florida Panthers, Erik Gudbranson agree on 1-year deal

SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) – The Florida Panthers and defenseman Erik Gudbranson have agreed on a one-year contract.

The Panthers announced the deal on Monday. Panthers general manager Dale Tallon says Gudbranson is an “important part of our young core.”

Gudbranson was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2010 draft and has spent all five of his NHL seasons with the Panthers.

The 6-foot-5, 216-pound Gudbranson has 11 goals, 32 assists and 346 penalty minutes in 309 games for Florida. He played in 64 games this season, helping the Panthers win the Atlantic Division title.