Since he joined the Panthers in early 2021, Sam Bennett has really come into his own in Florida. He’s not just a role player anymore; he’s become a reliable top-six center and an important part of the special teams. He quickly signed a four-year extension after joining, showing just how much the organization believes in him. During the 2024-25 season, Bennett put up some impressive numbers with 25 goals and 26 assists, plus he racked up 90 penalty minutes. It really shows how he combines toughness with talent.
Off the ice, Bennett has really taken to life in Florida, saying, “I never felt so comfortable in my life playing hockey. It’s sometimes odd to go to a new team and feel that comfortable right away, but everything was clicking. Right away I got the opportunity, the coaching staff believed in me, and then found some great chemistry with the players. I got to play with great players and that always helps. The early chemistry was amazing, and I think that really helped me build my confidence and helped me have the early success.”
Bennett’s career revival in Florida shows how well he fits into the team and highlights his real connection to the organization’s winning vibe. So, there are a bunch of rumors floating around that the NHL star might be wrapping up his time with the team. However, those rumors didn’t last long at all because new ones popped up right away.
On X, NHL Rumor Report shared, stating, “David Pagnotta: Sam Bennett is pretty much locked in to stay in Florida; deal around 8×8 being discussed – NHL Network.” David Pagnotta, an insider, mentioned on NHL Network that the Florida Panthers and Sam Bennett are in talks about a multi-year deal. It seems like both sides are in agreement, and there’s talk of a contract around eight years at eight million per season. That would be quite a jump from his current $4.425 million AAV!
The projected deal makes sense for a few reasons: Bennett’s tough, playoff-tested style—he’s got 14 playoff goals and 21 points in 21 games—and Florida’s tax advantage, which gives them a bit more leeway with the cap hit. If everything goes as planned, Bennett’s potential 8-year deal at $8 million AAV would really lock him in as a key part of Florida’s future.
David Pagnotta: Sam Bennett is pretty much locked in to stay in Florida; deal around 8×8 being discussed – NHL Network
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) June 13, 2025
It strikes a nice balance between rewarding him for his playoff performance and ensuring the team stays stable in the long run. If the reports are accurate, this deal might just be the Panthers’ biggest move of the upcoming offseason.
This is a developing report…
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