The Florida Panthers announced on Friday evening that they have reached an agreement on an eight-year contract extension with Conn Smythe Trophy winner Sam Bennett. The deal, valued at $64 million total with an average annual value of $8 million, will keep the 29-year-old winger with the team through the 2033 season.
This new contract nearly doubles Bennett’s annual salary compared to his previous four-year period with the Panthers, reflecting his rising impact on the team and his status as a key player in their recent success.
Bennett’s Impact and Career Highlights
Since joining Florida after his initial four-year rookie contract with the Calgary Flames, Bennett has consistently delivered strong performances, averaging 22 goals per season. His performance during the latest postseason was especially remarkable, scoring 15 goals and adding seven assists en route to being named the Most Valuable Player of the Stanley Cup Finals.
Bennett now joins an elite group of active NHL players, alongside Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin, and Zach Hyman, who have scored 15 goals in a single Stanley Cup Playoff run. His contribution was pivotal in helping the Panthers secure back-to-back Stanley Cup championships.
At the height of the Cup parade celebrations, Bennett hinted at his desire to remain with the Panthers when he declared on stage, “eight more years”, followed by shouting,
“I ain’t f****** leaving!”
—Sam Bennett, Forward
Salary Cap Challenges and Future Contract Considerations
With Bennett’s $8 million average salary now accounted for in the 2025-26 season, the Panthers are left with approximately $11 million in salary cap space. Spotlighting their financial landscape, six other Panthers players are scheduled to earn more than $7 million each next season, according to Spotrac data.
The team also faces potential hurdles with contract extensions pending for other key stars such as Brad Marchand and Aaron Ekblad. Moreover, Andrei Bobrovsky, often regarded as
the best goaltender in the world
—Andrei Bobrovsky, Goaltender—will enter the final year of his $10 million contract next season. This means the Panthers will lose Bobrovsky’s $10 million cap hit after next year unless they negotiate a new deal, demanding cautious financial planning.
Balancing the need to retain these top players while filling out the rest of the roster represents a complex task for Florida’s general manager, Bill Zito, as the team works to maintain its position as one of the NHL’s dominant forces.
Looking Ahead for the Panthers’ Championship Aspirations
By locking in Bennett with a long-term commitment, the Florida Panthers have solidified a foundational piece of their championship core for years to come. The challenge ahead will be managing salary cap constraints while re-signing other elite talents and maintaining roster depth.
With Bennett’s proven playoff performance and leadership on ice, the Panthers appear well positioned to compete for additional Stanley Cups, continuing their recent success well into the next decade.