Fresh off his second straight Stanley Cup win and a Conn Smythe Trophy to cap a remarkable postseason, Sam Bennett now faces a career-defining decision. As an unrestricted free agent come July 1, the Florida Panthers forward holds the keys to his future.
But does he want to leave a team where he’s finally found his place?
Former NHL goaltender Mike Vernon doesn’t think so.
Mike Vernon Believes Sam Bennett Will Stay in Florida
For the veteran of multiple playoff runs and someone who left a Cup-winning team after being named playoff MVP, Vernon sees Bennett’s situation as fundamentally different from his own.
“Oh, he’s not going anywhere,” Vernon told The Athletic. “I know it’s a crazy world, but why would he want to leave?”
Bennett’s road to playoff stardom has been far from smooth. He was drafted fourth overall by the Calgary Flames in 2014 and spent years struggling to find consistent footing. However, a trade to the Panthers in 2021 proved to be the turning point. Since then, he’s become a crucial part of the franchise that has secured back-to-back championships.
Sam Bennett gets showered with “MVP” chants and responds by showering the crowd with beer
— BET99 Ontario (@BET99ON) June 18, 2025
Vernon, who once walked away from a Stanley Cup team, knows the weight of such a decision. But when it comes to Bennett, he doesn’t see history repeating.
“My situation was a little different,” Vernon explained. “They had said to me, ‘You bring the Cup here and we’ll reward you.’ I brought the Cup, and they weren’t willing to reward me.”
Vernon helped lead the Detroit Red Wings to their first Stanley Cup victory in over 40 years in June 1997. However, a roster crunch forced Detroit to trade a goalie, and the team sent Vernon to the San Jose Sharks in August.
In contrast, Bennett seems content with the Panthers. “This is the team I like to play for,” he said during the Panthers’ post-game celebration. “These are my brothers.”
His focus was never on personal accolades, despite scoring a playoff-high 15 goals. “There are 25 MVPs on this team,” he said. “It really could have gone to anyone.”
Now, Bennett must decide whether to chase a potentially bigger contract elsewhere or remain with the teammates and organization that helped him thrive.
Bennett is a Valuable Asset with Strong Ties to Florida
Since joining the Panthers, Bennett has delivered four straight 40-point seasons and hit career highs this year in assists (26), power-play goals (7), and overall points (51). His $4.425 million cap hit is expected to rise significantly, with projections placing him among the top free agents this offseason.
General Manager Bill Zito, who traded for Bennett in 2021, has clarified how highly the organization values him. Zito praised Bennett’s effort and former coach Joel Quenneville for helping unlock his potential.
“I’m so proud of him,” Zito said. “He’s such a good person. Great player. And great teammate.”
Still, the business side looms. Bennett’s agent, Darren Ferris, is known for guiding clients to free agency. And while the Panthers managed to re-sign Sam Reinhart under similar circumstances last year, a deal for Bennett has yet to materialize.
