The Florida Panthers announced Sunday that they have agreed to terms with forward Jonah Gadjovich on a two-year, $1.8 million contract extension, keeping him in Sunrise through the 2027-28 season. The deal was made official on Gadjovich’s 27th birthday, adding another reason to celebrate for the rugged winger.
Gadjovich, who joined the Panthers organization in 2022, has become a valued depth piece and physical presence for the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions. In 84 games over parts of three seasons with Florida, he has tallied six goals and three assists, while adding two goals and an assist in last year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs — including a memorable goal in the Game 7 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Through the early portion of the 2025-26 season, Gadjovich has notched one assist and a team-high-tying 11 hits in three games, continuing to set the tone physically for Florida’s bottom-six forward group.
A second-round pick (No. 55 overall) by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2017 NHL Draft, Gadjovich has appeared in 163 career NHL games with the Canucks, San Jose Sharks, and Panthers, totaling 19 points (11 goals, 8 assists). Known more for his grit than his scoring touch, Gadjovich has carved out a role as one of the NHL’s more efficient checkers — averaging a team-best 19.7 hits per 60 minutes during his tenure in Florida.
Gadjovich was set to become an unrestricted free agent after this season, but his new deal ensures the Panthers retain one of their most dependable energy forwards. The extension makes him the 11th forward under contract for the 2026-27 season, joining Aleksander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Reinhart, Sam Bennett, Carter Verhaeghe, Brad Marchand, Anton Lundell, Evan Rodrigues, Eetu Luostarinen, and Jesper Boqvist.
It’s also possible the team soon adds a 12th name to that list — Mackie Samoskevich, who could become a restricted free agent later this season, is a strong candidate for a new deal.
For now, though, Gadjovich’s return provides Florida with more than just roster stability — it reinforces the Panthers’ trademark identity of toughness and accountability.
“Jonah plays the game the right way,” Panthers general manager Bill Zito said in the release. “He brings energy, physicality, and a team-first mentality every time he steps on the ice. We’re thrilled to have him remain a Panther for years to come.”
