Upon signing his 6-year extension last week, Nick Bjugstad pointed out two main reasons for his decision. First, he loves what GM Dale Tallon has assembled in terms of a roster in Sunrise. Both the current roster and their AHL affiliate in San Antonio are littered with very talented young players.
Second, he loves living in South Florida. Why wouldn't he? One trip north of the border this time of year is all one needs to know about he benefits of living in the south. Oh, and the no state income tax is a plus as well. But most of all...
...Bjugstad knows the future is bright for the Florida Panthers.
His 6-year, $24.6 million contract not only should prove to be a great deal for the Panthers, but it also sends the message that Tallon's blueprint for success is finally coming to fruition.
Bjugstad is arguably the best player on the team right now. He leads the team with 24 points(15g, 9 assists) and is on pace for 30 goals in only his second full season as a professional. He also led the team in scoring last season.
Not only is he starting to use his huge body frame more in the dirty areas, but he's showing tremendous speed for a big guy. To think that he is going to continue to improve leaps and bounds from here is a welcomed asset for Florida.
The 19th overall pick from the 2010 NHL Draft has proven to be just another tremendous pick for Tallon since he arrived as GM in 2010. As several veteran players come off the books this year it is likely Bjugstad will be the second highest paid forward behind Dave Bolland.
I'll get into what the Bjugstad and Bolland contracts mean for this club in a later post.
As the masses continue to insist the Florida Panthers are moving, and ownership says it isn't happening, a move like this says a lot for the state and health of this franchise. Bjugstad has proven he will be a huge piece of the success of this club moving forward. Tallon has shown with action that if a player produces they will get paid. That is the best type of motivation for every young player on the team.
As the Panthers claw and scratch for a playoff spot this year, being perennial playoff participants seems to be only a season away. Signings like Bjugstad make it so. Other young guns will be following, and all of a sudden the Florida Panthers will be a team everyone respects. What a shift in perception that would make.
Dan Spiegel