Panthers sign defenseman Josh Mahura to one-year extension

The Florida Panthers have signed defenseman Josh Mahura to a one-year extension.

Mahura is in the first season with the Panthers, recording four goals and 11 points in 54 games. The Panthers acquired Mahura on waivers back in October. Before then, he had split the past few years between the Anaheim Ducks and their AHL affiliate, the San Diego Gulls. This is his first full NHL season, having turned pro in 2018 after four seasons in the WHL with Red Deer and Regina.

Mahura has been a solid puck-moving depth option for the Panthers, with the 24-year-old showing promise as a well-rounded defenseman. There’s nothing he does particularly over-the-top, but he’s reliable, moves well and is starting to look more comfortable carrying the puck.

Mahura won’t put a ton of points on the board, but he’s brought positive value to the lineup. His 55.16 Corsi-for percentage leads all Panthers blueliners with at least 25 games played while maintaining a blueline-leading 57.38 goals-for percentage at 5-on-5. He also has a 4.4 goals above replacement and 0.7 wins above replacement according to Evolving-Hockey, with other decent analytics to boot.

After a slow first half, the Florida Panthers have re-entered the playoff conversation. The top three teams in the Atlantic Division – Boston (83), Toronto (70) and Tampa Bay (68) – have a stranglehold over the rest, with Florida sitting fourth in the wild-card race. However, they’re just two points behind Washington in the first spot, with Buffalo (56 points) sitting two points behind Florida in the fifth spot.

Mahura is the fourth current Panthers defenseman to have a deal past this season, joining Aaron Ekblad, Brandon Montour and Gustav Forsling. Radko Gudas and Marc Staal are pending UFAs, while Casey Fitzgerald will be an RFA. The Wild have some interesting defensive prospects in the system, including Evan Nause, Zach Uens and Nathan Staios that could earn a call-up in the future.