Panthers Sign Jaycob Megna to One-Year, Two-Way Contract: A Journeyman Blueliner Heads to Florida
On Friday, Florida Panthers GM Bill Zito announced the signing of defenseman Jaycob Megna to a one-year, two-way contract, with a $775,000 cap hit for the 2024-25 season.
Megna’s Journey Through the NHL
Megna will join his fourth team in three seasons. He began the 2022-23 season with the San Jose Sharks, moved to the Seattle Kraken, and was later picked up by the Chicago Blackhawks after being waived in early January. During his stint with Chicago, he played 44 games, recording two assists. This tied for his second-highest NHL appearance count in a season.
Professional Beginnings and Career Highlights
Megna started his professional career with the Anaheim Ducks, who drafted him in the seventh round of the 2012 NHL Draft. After over two seasons in the AHL, he made his NHL debut with the Ducks in the 2016-17 season. He alternated between the Ducks and their AHL affiliate, the San Diego Gulls, before signing with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2019. The following season, he joined the San Jose Barracuda on an AHL contract.
We have agreed to terms with defenseman Jaycob Megna on a one-year, two-way contract!
✍️ » https://t.co/oUNByuyDDq pic.twitter.com/BcOmG9B9zD
— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) July 5, 2024
In July 2021, Megna signed with the Sharks, where he saw significant NHL action. He played a career-high 52 games in the 2022-23 season, which included his trade to the Kraken.
Career Stats
In 185 NHL games, Megna has four goals and 23 assists, with a career plus/minus of -17. In the AHL, he has 18 goals and 80 assists over 370 games, including seven points in 39 Calder Cup Playoff games.
International Play
Megna also represented the United States at the 2022 IIHF Men’s World Championship, where he played eight games and recorded two assists.
