What happened: The Florida Panthers have signed goaltender Cooper Black to a two-year, two-way contract extension through the 2027-28 season. Black, an undrafted free agent out of Dartmouth, recently completed a standout rookie campaign with the Charlotte Checkers.
Why it matters: The extension secures essential organizational depth behind veteran Sergei Bobrovsky as Florida continues to bolster its developmental pipeline. This move follows the club's recent focus on youth, including the signing of defenseman Matvei Shuravin earlier this month.
By the numbers: Black posted a 25-13-4 record with a 2.47 GAA and a .903 save percentage in 42 AHL games. During the 2025-26 season, he led all AHL rookie goaltenders in wins (25) and minutes played (2,501).
What to watch: Black is expected to anchor the Checkers' crease in the 2026-27 season while serving as the primary call-up option for the NHL squad.