Florida Panthers prospect, signs two-year deal with Rögle BK in SHL

There is no rush in Sunrise, and that reality showed again Thursday. Florida Panthers prospect Simon Zether has reportedly signed a two year contract extension with his SHL club Rogle BK, according to Swedish outlet hockeynews.se.

Zether, 20, is in his third SHL season with Rogle, and the production will not jump off the stat sheet yet. Through 22 games this year, he has one goal and four points, numbers that reflect role more than potential.

Last season offered a clearer glimpse of his trajectory. Zether was loaned to Västerås IK in HockeyAllsvenskan, Sweden's second division, where he posted four goals and 12 points in 25 games while playing heavier minutes.

That experience helped shape his return to Rogle this season. He has earned more trust in five on five situations, especially defensively, and has become a reliable option in tight games even without flashy offense.

The Panthers selected Zether in the fourth round, 129th overall, in the 2024 NHL Draft. At 6 foot 3 and 186 pounds, the right handed center has the frame teams love but still needs strength and pace refinement.

This is the kind of quiet move contenders can afford. There is no panic, no pressure, just letting a young player cook properly.

Florida drafted Zether as a project, not a finished product. His game is built around detail, board work, and defensive awareness rather than instant scoring, which usually takes longer to translate offensively.

The two year extension signals Rogle values his influence beyond points. Coaches trust him in small areas, in puck battles, and in supporting the defense through the neutral zone.

For the Panthers, this path makes sense. Zether will be 22, turning 23, when his SHL deal expires, lining him up for a potential jump to North America at a more mature stage