Sam Bennett would’ve been one of the most-coveted free agents on the market this summer. After helping the Florida Panthers reach three-straight Stanley Cup Finals, including consecutive championships, the 29-year-old Conn Smythe Winner has reached an agreement to avoid free agency. It was just announced, he is signing an eight-year deal, with an $8 million average annual value to remain in South Florida.
Sam Bennett’s extension with #FlaPanthers: 8 years x $8 million.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) June 27, 2025
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Bennett Signs Extension With Panthers
Bennett started his career with the Calgary Flames. After scoring 67 goals in seven seasons with the Flames, Bennett joined the Panthers and his career turned around. In five seasons with the Panthers, Bennett has scored 95 goals. This includes four seasons where he scored 20+ goals. After a breakout season in 2021, Bennett received a four-year contract extension.
In the Panthers run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2023, Bennett scored five goals and recorded 15 points in 20 games. During the 2024 run to the Stanley Cup Championship, Bennett scored seven goals and recorded 14 points in 19 games. In the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Bennett led the league with 15 goals. Furthermore, Bennett made Panther history by being the first in team history to win the Conn Smythe Trophy. He will look forward to similar success throughout the term of this deal.
What He Brings
It is important to understand that Bennett will still only 24-years old when he was traded from the Flames. He was a youngster still looking to find his footing in the NHL. While one can claim it was the team around him that boosted his offence, it is also possible he found his footing in the NHL.
In addition, his first strong season with the Panthers was in the 2021-22 season, when he scored 28 goals in 71 games. This was the season before the Panthers traded for Matthew Tkachuk. It seems like it is a good fit in Florida, general manager Bill Zito appears to agree.
Main Photo: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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