Report: Panthers sign C Nick Bjugstad to six-year contract extension

Florida Panthers center Nick Bjugstad has signed a six-year contract extension with the Florida Panthers, worth $4.1 million per year.

Nick Bjugstad has a few reasons to be excited about a new year. 

More than $24 million to be exact. 

According to George Richards of the Miami Herald, the Florida Panthers center inked a six-year deal worth $4.1 million per year on Tuesday.

The highly-touted 2010 first-round pick back is in his third year with the Panthers, for whom he’s notched 60 points this season, including a goal in Tuesday night's shootout loss to the Montreal Canadiens.

Bjugstad was the team’s leading scorer last year with 38 points, and he once again leads the team this season with 21. 

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In 76 games last season, he scored 16 goals, and has already scored 13 this season in just 34 games. Those 13 tallies are also a team best. 

The Minnesota alumnus was the state's Mr. Hockey as a high school senior in 2009-10 and was a member of the 2011 and 2012 U.S. WJC teams. 

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The Panthers are 16-9-9 after Tuesday's result and are tied for fifth place in the Atlantic Division.