SUNRISE, Fla. — The atmosphere was electric as Sam Bennett took center stage during the Florida Panthers’ recent Stanley Cup victory parade. Enthusiastic fans erupted into chants, demanding, “Eight more years! Eight more years!” signaling their desire to keep their beloved player on the team.
Their wishes have been granted. Bennett, who emerged as the NHL’s top scorer in this year’s playoffs with an impressive tally of 15 goals, has secured his future with the Panthers. On Friday, he and the club reached an agreement on a new eight-year contract valued at $64 million, translating to an annual pay of $8 million.
“Sam is a remarkable talent, combining a rare mix of skill and assertiveness on the ice. He has emerged as a key postseason performer of his era,” stated Bill Zito, the Panthers’ general manager and president of hockey operations. “His contribution was pivotal in our consecutive Stanley Cup wins, capturing the franchise’s inaugural Conn Smythe trophy, and he actively engages with the South Florida community off the rink. We are thrilled to have him continue his journey with the Panthers.”
Bennett’s exceptional performance earned him the Conn Smythe Trophy, awarded to the playoffs’ most valuable player—a first for a Florida player. Notably, this marks a rare instance where a Conn Smythe winner remains with the same team the following season, a scenario unseen since 1997 when Mike Vernon, who guided Detroit to a Cup victory, was traded to San Jose that summer.
This contract is just one of several pivotal decisions the Panthers faced entering free agency. Future plans for forward Brad Marchand, a significant trade acquisition integral to the latest Cup win, and defenseman Aaron Ekblad, remain pending.
The signing of Bennett is another substantial move for Zito, ensuring continuity within the team’s core. Eight key players, including Bennett, remain secured under contracts extending through at least the 2029-30 season. Other critical team members signed include Aleksander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Reinhart, Carter Verhaeghe, Anton Lundell, Seth Jones, and Gustav Forsling.
This new deal signals a major pay increase for Bennett, who concludes a four-year tenure under a contract worth just under $18 million. His playoff performance was extraordinary; only Kevin Stevens of Pittsburgh matched his achievement of accruing at least 15 goals and 48 penalty minutes in a single playoff series in 1991.
Leading up to this deal, Bennett repeatedly expressed, even during the Panthers’ elaborate Stanley Cup festivities, his intentions to stay with Florida. Official confirmation, however, was only released on Friday.
Bennett’s recent season marked a personal high, showcasing his skill with 25 goals and 26 assists in the regular season, culminating in a career-best of 51 points.