Usually, when a team with an underdeveloped fanbase and limited on-ice success announces a “big signing,” it’s not the kind of thing that should necessarily be celebrated.

The last time the Florida Panthers made a splash, it was with the contract that brought Sergei Bobrovski to South Beach. And at the time, a lot of the takes were, “This is substantial, but the money and term are a bit much.” Before that, there were a few seasons where the Panthers were able to successfully get some mid-tier free agents who would, at best, make them a mid-tier team. And there, too, they had to overpay for the privilege in both years and cap dollars.

Seems like that might not be the case anymore. Because the other thing that often comes with overpaying for every unrestricted free agent that hits the market i