Erik Gudbranson could have been with the Florida Panthers for a few more years at least.
The young defenseman was traded to the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday, circa two weeks after signing a one-year, $3.5-million contract extension with the team.
According to George Richards of the Miami Herald, Gudbranson had turned down a four-year deal worth $18 million before signing the one-year bridge contract.
That's significant for his new club seeing as Gudbranson will be a restricted free agent once again at the conclusion of 2016-17, with the ability to become unrestricted in 2018. In order to lock him up and justify dealing prospect Jared McCann along with second- and fourth-round draft picks to Florida, they'll seemingly have to top that offer.
In 309 career games, Gudbranson has recorded 11 goals, 32 assists, and 73 shots on goal.