Panthers sign forward Brouwer to one-year deal

Looking to take the next step and get to the postseason, the Florida Panthers have brought in a player with plenty of playoff experience.

On Monday, the team signed veteran forward Troy Brouwer to a one-year, oneway contract. A member of the 2010 Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks, Brouwer has played in 102 NHL playoff games.

“Troy is a skilled veteran forward with championship experience,” Panthers general manager Dale Tallon said. “He adds depth to our forward group and his leadership will help our developing young core take the next step this season.”

After finishing a point out of a playoff spot last season, the Panthers (44-30-8) return a talented young roster — led by Aleksander Barkov, Vincent Trocheck and Jonathan Huberdeau.

Brouwer, 33, has played in 763 career games, recording 341 points. Last season, he appeared in 76 games for the Calgary Flames, notching 22 points.

“When the opportunity arrived to come to Florida and play for the Panthers, we were really excited about it,” Brouwer said. “It’s a phenomenal young team, a great place to live and something my family is really looking forward to.”

The 6-foot-3, 215-pound forward has played for Chicago, Washington, St. Louis and Calgary during his 12-year career. Brouwer’s tallied back-to-back 43-point seasons with Washington in 2013-14 and 2014-15. He later helped guide the St. Louis Blues to the Western Conference final in 2016, scoring 13 points in 20 games.

Brouwer will be reunited with Tallon, who served as the general manager for the Blackhawks during his tenure with the franchise.

“[Tallon’s] built this team over the past few years with kind of the same model we had in Chicago with how it looked,” Brouwer said. “I remember us bringing in guys like John Madden and some older guys to help out with the younger guys — bring a little bit of experience and push the team over the top and I’m hoping I can be one of those guys.”