The Miami Herald today reports the Florida Panthers have locked up defenseman Keith Ballard to a multi-year contract.

Ballard's new contract is reportedly for six-years, starting in 2009-10, and could be worth over $4 million per season. He'll earn $2.5 million for this season, the final one of his current contract.

This is a good move by Panthers GM Jacques Martin. Ballard joined the Panthers along with fellow blueliner Nick Boynton this past June in the trade that shipped Olli Jokinen to the Phoenix Coyotes.

Only 25, Ballard led the Coyotes in hits and blocked shocks last season and saw considerable ice time (21.15 minutes per game) at both ends of the ice. He's not overly big (5-11, 208) by NHL standards but plays a big man's game and also has good offensive skills, netting 21 points in 82 games with the Coyotes last season, and had 39 points in his rookie season in 2005-06.

This contract will carry Ballard to age 32, and with his upside this new salary of over $4 million per season could look like a bargain if he continues to improve over the next six years, as well has providing some stability to the Panthers defense corps.