The Florida Panthers are steamrolling their way through the playoffs once again, and this year, they look more dangerous than ever. With a commanding 3-0 lead over the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Panthers are just one win away from reaching their third straight Stanley Cup Final.
While the team’s depth has been a major story, one name keeps standing out: Sam Bennett. Not only is he leading the team in goals, but he’s also on the brink of becoming one of the hottest names in free agency. If he does hit the open market on July 1, there will be no shortage of suitors ready to pay up.
NHL Analyst Hints at Major Extension to Keep Sam Bennett in Florida
Bennett is having a playoff run to remember. He’s second only to captain Aleksander Barkov in points and leads the Panthers in goals scored, no small feat on a team packed with offensive firepower. He’s been clutch, physical, and relentless every shift, quickly becoming a player that opponents dread to face and teammates love to have.
What makes Bennett’s surge even more interesting is his contract situation. He’s in the final year of a four-year, $17.7 million deal he signed back in 2021. ESPN’s John Buccigross recently pointed out on social media that Bennett will be one of the most sought-after players if he hits the open market, and it’s easy to see why.
John Buccigross said, “Wherever he wants. All 32 teams would be interested in Sam Bennett. I would stay in Florida at 8×8.”
SAM BENNETT TAPS IT IN OUT OF MID-AIR 🔥
📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/7nPSTfyaww
— ESPN (@espn) April 23, 2025
The 27-year-old brings more than just scoring. He plays with grit, wins battles along the boards, and has a style of play that’s tailor-made for playoff hockey. That kind of complete game doesn’t go unnoticed, especially by teams hungry for postseason success.
While the Panthers would surely love to keep him, their salary cap situation might make it tough. If Bennett does decide to test free agency, expect a bidding war. Teams across the league will be lining up to add a player who not only scores but also thrives in the physical, high-pressure style of the playoffs.
Could Sam Bennett Really Have $10 Million Per Year?
Bennett’s playoff performance couldn’t have come at a better time. With free agency on the horizon, he’s making a strong case for a big payday—and some analysts believe that payday could be massive.
According to one NHL analyst, there’s already talk that at least one team might be willing to offer Bennett an average of $10 million per season. That’s a huge number, especially for a player who isn’t typically seen as a regular-season superstar. Still, Bennett’s ability to shine when the games matter most is something teams are always looking for.
His agent, Darren Ferris, has to be loving every shift his client takes right now. Bennett’s ability to deliver when it counts is catching the eye of decision-makers across the league—and driving up his price tag.
That said, $10 million is a big commitment, even with the NHL’s salary cap expected to jump to $113.5 million by 2027-28. For now, though, Bennett isn’t worried about contracts or the summer frenzy.
His focus is on the task at hand: helping the Panthers finish off the Hurricanes in Game 4 and continuing their run toward a second straight Stanley Cup Final. The game starts at 8 p.m. EST Monday night at Amerant Bank Arena, and you can bet all eyes will be on No. 9.
