The Florida Panthers made headlines this weekend by re-signing their playoff MVP to a long-term deal. On Friday, the team announced it had agreed to an eight-year, $64 million contract extension with Conn Smythe Trophy winner, Sam Bennett. The move comes just days after Bennett helped the Panthers win their second straight Stanley Cup title.
Sam Bennett Signs Long-Term Deal With the Florida Panthers
Bennett, 29, was a key piece in the Panthers’ postseason run. He recorded 22 points in 23 playoff games. His efforts earned him the Conn Smythe Trophy, making him the first Panthers player to win the award.
“I obviously couldn’t be happier,” Bennett said after signing the deal. “Being in South Florida has just completely changed my life. I love playing hockey here, I love living here. I love the team, the staff, the owners, just everything about it is really a dream situation. So, I couldn’t pass up the chance to be back here for another eight years.”
EIGHT MORE YEARS.
📝 » https://t.co/Ftzi3kkHFv pic.twitter.com/sefpir9lQL
— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) June 27, 2025
Fans on social media were excited about the announcement. One fan tweeted, “Let the dynasty continue.”
Let the dynasty continue
— Miami Mando 🙌🏝🏈⚾️🏀🥊🏒⛳️ (@LakersCanes305) June 27, 2025
Another wrote, “Panthers will just dominate the entire 20s. Deal with it people. Join the bandwagon. It’s inevitable.”
Panthers will just dominate the entire 20s. Deal with it people. Join the bandwagon. It’s inevitable.
— C.D. Jensen (@cdjensen85) June 27, 2025
Another Panthers fan also joined in with a tweet: “The Dynasty Continues!!!”
The team and its fans are clearly in sync regarding their faith in Bennett.
Bennett’s new contract, worth $8 million annually, reflects his on-ice production and growing role in the Panthers’ leadership group. He had a career-best regular season with 25 goals and 26 assists across 76 games.
Bennett a Core Part of Panthers’ Long-Term Plans
The Panthers have prioritized keeping their championship core intact. Bennett joins a group of key players, including Aleksander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk, and Carter Verhaeghe, who are all under contract through at least 2029-30.
General Manager Bill Zito emphasized Bennett’s impact on and off the ice. “Sam is a special player who has mastered a unique blend of skill and physicality in his game, becoming one of the most impactful postseason performers of his generation,” Zito said. “We are thrilled that he will continue his career with the Panthers.”
Since being drafted fourth overall in 2014 by the Calgary Flames, Bennett has found new life in Florida. He has totaled 336 points over 691 career games, with much of the points coming since joining the Panthers in 2021.
His impact has been even more pronounced in the playoffs. Bennett has 78 points in 107 postseason games and led the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs in goals, even-strength tallies, and penalty minutes.
This contract extension also shows the Panthers’ intent to chase a third consecutive championship. While questions remain around the futures of fellow veterans Brad Marchand and Aaron Ekblad, Bennett’s signing is a clear signal of the Panthers’ commitment to building a lasting contender.
