Panthers' Keith Yandle: Agrees to seven-year deal with Panthers

Yandle has agreed to terms on a seven-year deal with the Panthers that will net him $6.35 million annually, Pierre LeBrun of ESPN reports.

Analysis:

With unrestricted free agency just around the corner, the Panthers were pressed for time but obviously confident they could reach an agreement with the 29-year-old blueliner before free agency opens July 1. That is indeed the case with the former Coyote now officially joining the Panthers for an extended stay. Coming off a 47-point (five goals, 42 assists) season with the Rangers, Yandle will look to bring his offensive skill set to a relatively young Panthers squad, who had a high of just 36 points (Aaron Ekblad) from a defenseman last season. His addition could also improve a man advantage that struggled last season, finishing in the bottom 10 in power-play percentage (16.9) last season.