The Florida Panthers have continued overhauling their blue line by signing defenseman Jason Demers to a five-year contract.
Demers had seven goals and 16 assists in 62 games for the Dallas Stars last season. He's a puck-moving defenseman who general manager Tom Rowe says will help the Panthers' transition game and special teams.
The 28-year-old will be one of several new faces on defense for the Panthers next season. Already they traded for and signed Keith Yandle, traded away Erik Gudbranson and Dmitry Kulikov, let Brian Campbell leave in free agency and acquired Mark Pysyk.
Demers has 143 points in 434 NHL games. He'll join a group that includes Yandle, Jakub Kindl and 2014 No. 1 pick Aaron Ekblad, who on Friday signed a $60 million, eight-year extension.
