The Florida Panthers have signed centre Dave Bolland to a five-year contract worth an average annual value of $5.5 million.

Bolland played just 23 games last season in his first year with the Toronto Maple Leafs after an ankle injury suffered early in the season. He was effective for the Leafs when he did play, scoring eight goals and four assists in 23 games, all but two of those points coming in the 15 games before he went down due to injury.

He is coming off a five-year deal he signed with Chicago prior to the 2009-10 season worth an average annual value of $3.375 million.

The Mimico, Ont. native spent the first six years of his career with the Chicago Blackhawks, winning two Stanley Cups in the process, before the team dealt him to Toronto at the 2013 NHL Draft.

The 28-year-old forward has 78 goals and 102 assists for 180 points over 355 career games in the NHL.

Bolland was drafted by Chicago in the second round (32nd overall) of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.

Welcome to deep south! :hello: