The Florida Panthers are still riding the high from their second straight Stanley Cup victory in 2025, with star forward Sam Bennett’s recent $64 million contract extension adding even more fuel to the celebrations. The extension, signed on Friday, secures Bennett with the team for eight more years, strengthening the Panthers’ championship core alongside teammate Matthew Tkachuk.
Intimate Celebration Captured in Locker Room Moments
<pShortly after Florida clinched the Cup by defeating the Edmonton Oilers in Game 6, Matthew Tkachuk shared a memorable Instagram story showing an emotional celebration with Sam Bennett. The two longtime friends, soaked and exhilarated, embraced the moment with Tkachuk holding champagne and a cigar, while Bennett faced the crowd with arms wide open. The caption read, “More of this please,” reflecting their desire to keep winning together.
Sam Bennett’s Commitment to Florida Panthers
Sam Bennett expressed his enthusiasm about remaining with the Panthers, emphasizing how confident he was about signing the extension. He shared,
“I knew that I wanted to be here, and I was pretty confident that it was going to get done,”
highlighting the mutual fit between him and the organization. Bennett added,
“Obviously, I couldn’t be happier. Being in South Florida has completely changed my life. I love playing hockey there. I love living there. I love the team, the staff and the owners. Everything about [this place] is really the dream situation. I couldn’t pass up the chance to be back here for another eight years.”
Bennett’s Outstanding Performance Cemented by Conn Smythe Trophy
Bennett had a career-best season, tallying 51 points during the regular season and dominating in the playoffs with 15 goals and 22 points over 23 games. His outstanding postseason performance earned him the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player. This achievement, combined with his new contract, solidifies his role as a cornerstone of the Panthers’ success.
Longstanding Friendship and Journey with Matthew Tkachuk
Bennett and Matthew Tkachuk’s bond goes back nearly ten years to their time with the Calgary Flames. Bennett was drafted fourth overall in 2014, while Tkachuk joined two years later as the sixth overall pick in 2016. Their paths converged in Calgary during the 2020-21 season before Bennett was traded to the Panthers. Tkachuk followed slightly more than a year later, reuniting them in Florida and leading the team together to back-to-back Stanley Cup titles.
Celebrating a Future of Success for the Panthers
This latest contract extension not only solidifies Bennett’s future with the Panthers but also signals the team‘s intent to maintain a highly competitive roster in South Florida. With Bennett and Tkachuk at the core, Florida aims to continue its dominance and pursue more championships. The chemistry and determination displayed by this duo are key assets for the franchise moving forward as they look to build on their recent remarkable achievements.