As the Florida Panthers continue to bask in the glory of winning the Stanley Cup for the second consecutive season, general manager Bill Zito has taken care of an extremely important business matter of internal personnel.
Forward Sam Bennett, who won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the Most Valuable Player in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, won’t be entering free agency and agreed to an eight-year contract extension with an $8 million cap hit.
Bennett is not only banking on continuing the success that he’s enjoyed with the Panthers for the foreseeable future, but also agreed to take less money in his new contract with Florida than he could have gotten had he hit the open market on July 1.
Sam Bennett Believes Florida Stint Has Changed His Life for Good
Bennett is not only thrilled to remain with the Panthers but also for the chance to continue playing with the teammates he’s grown so close to over the years and to compete for the Stanley Cup again.
“I knew that I wanted to be here, and I was pretty confident that it was going to get done,” Bennett said. “Obviously, you never know. Things can change. It had to be the right fit for both me and the team. We obviously came to that solution. Obviously, I couldn’t be happier.
“Being in South Florida has completely changed my life. I love playing hockey there. I love living there. I love the team, the staff and the owners. Everything about [this place] is really the dream situation. I couldn’t pass up the chance to be back here for another eight years.”
Bennett spent the first portion of his career with the Calgary Flames, who selected him fourth overall in 2014. In April of 2021, the Flames traded Bennett to the Panthers for the rights to Emil Heineman and a second-round pick in 2022.
Bennett has truly found a home with the Panthers, not only helping them to the postseason in each of his first four seasons with the team but three straight trips to the Stanley Cup Final and two straight championships.
Bennett believes that the fun is just beginning for himself and his Panthers teammates, who will attempt the NHL’s first three-peat since the New York Islanders from 1980 to 1982.
“If you would’ve asked me that five years ago, I would’ve been thrilled with just a little bit of success,” he said. “I haven’t really had time to process how amazing this year’s been. I truly believe that we’re not done yet.”
