The 28-year-old forward had 22 points (nine goals, 13 assists) in 68 regular-season games for the Nashville Predators last season and no points in three Stanley Cup Playoff games.
"Nick is a reliable two-way player who will complement our forward group well," Panthers general manager Bill Zito said. "We are excited to add his offensive versatility to our team."
RELATED: [2022-23 NHL Free Agent Tracker]
Selected by the Philadelphia Flyers in the third round (No. 68) of the 2011 NHL Draft, Cousins has 138 points (55 goals, 83 assists) in 444 regular-season games for the Flyers, Arizona Coyotes, Montreal Canadiens, Vegas Golden Knights and Predators and seven points (two goals, five assists) in 30 playoff games.
Florida also agreed with forward
Colin White
and defenseman
Marc Staal
on one-year contracts.
White, a 25-year-old forward, had 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in 24 games for the Ottawa Senators last season. Staal, a 35-year-old defenseman, had 16 points (three goals, 13 assists) in 71 games for the Detroit Red Wings last season.
Florida (58-18-6) won the Presidents' Trophy last season after it had the best record in the NHL, but were swept in the best-of-7 Eastern Conference Second Round by the Tampa Bay Lightning.
"I'm looking forward to the height and expectation to win every night and have that pressure of being the team that every other team is looking to beat," Staal said. "It's a fun thing to be a part of and I missed that the last number of years. Joining these guys was a no brainer.
"I get to join a really talented team that has playoff and Stanley Cup ambitions and to get back into that mix is really exciting for me."
