Uvis Balinskis' surprise reaction to a two-year extension

Florida locked up Balinskis on a new two-year extension Friday, a steady little contract that screams, we like what you do, keep doing it. PuckPedia's transaction log lists the deal at a $875,000 cap hit.

Balinskis is 29, he shoots left, and he arrived without the usual draft-day hype, which is why his story still hits. One minute you're a guy fighting for a spot, the next you're part of the furniture.

Jameson Olive shared Balinskis' vibe after the news, and it sounded like genuine disbelief, not rehearsed gratitude.

On the ice, he has chipped in eight points in 36 games this season, which is more than fine for a depth defender whose job is to keep things clean. Florida Hockey Now and PuckPedia both land on the same line.

As a fan, I love this kind of signing because it feels like a contender protecting itself from chaos.

Balinskis gives Paul Maurice an option who can play third-pair minutes without turning every shift into an adventure. When injuries hit, that reliability saves your top four from getting stretched into exhaustion.

This is also smart roster math, because a left-shot defender at that number lets Florida keep working on the louder files. You can chase the big extensions and still know your depth won't collapse in February.

Balinskis said the group is a championship team, and that's the point, you stay because the standard is real. If he keeps trending the way he has, this deal won't just look safe, it'll look like another quiet win.