Panthers sign restricted free agent Vatrano to 1-year deal
The Panthers checked off one of their offseason boxes Friday afternoon, agreeing to terms with restricted free-agent forwardFrankVatranoto aone-year contract. According to TSN, the deal is worth $925,000.
Florida acquired Vatrano in February from Boston for a third-round pick, and the 24-year-old forward was solid in limited time for the Panthers. He scored five goals and assisted on three others in 16 games.
“Frank brings scoring ability and depth to our forward group,” Panthers general manager Dale Tallon said in a statement. “He was a solid addition to our forward group during our playoff push and we’re excited for his continued development with the Panthers.”
The Panthers nabbed Vatrano from the Bruins after he toiled on the fourth line and as a healthy scratch for most of the season. In 25 games in Boston, he scored just two goals and averaged 9:28 of ice time.
In his first game as a Panther, Vatrano hada goalandrecordeda career-high19:05 of ice time.
Vatrano was one of four restricted free agents that finished the seasononFlorida’s roster. The Panthers offered qualifying offers to the other three earlier this week (Jared McCann, Alexander Petrovic and MacKenzie Weegar) in addition to AHL forward Curtis Valk.
Vatrano will also be part of a deep forward group that is overflowing with skaters. The Panthers traded for winger Mike Hoffman, plus could add prospects Owen Tippett and Henrik Borgström to the fold for a full season. Florida did not buy out anyone and has not traded any forwards either.
Vatrano profiles as a bottom-six speed forward, but he also saw some time in the Panthers’ top-six forward group last season, playing alongside Vincent Trocheck. mdefranks@sunsentinel.com or Twitter@MDeFranks