The Florida Panthers are finalizing a long-term extension with defenseman Niko Mikkola , sources told ESPN on Thursday.

The deal, which could be announced as soon as this week, means the two-time defending champions will have their top four defensemen locked in until at least 2030, with Gustav Forsling , Aaron Ekblad and Seth Jones already committed to long-term deals.

The Panthers are beginning their quest for a three-peat without two of their biggest stars. Matthew Tkachuk is recovering from offseason surgery and is expected back around December. Captain Aleksander Barkov tore his ACL and MCL at a preseason practice and has a projected recovery from surgery of seven to nine months.

Mikkola, 29, has found his game with the Panthers, where he was a key defensive cog in eac

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