Greg Wyshynskijun 27, 2025, 06:44 PM ET
Closegreg Wyshynski is a senior NHL writer at ESPN.
Florida Panthers playoff MVP Sam Bennett told fans at the team’s Stanley Cup celebration this week that he hasn’t left.
He was the man of his words.
Bennett signed an eight-year contract extension with Florida, and the team announced it on Friday night hours before the NHL Draft. He was scheduled to become an unlimited free agent on July 1st.
Bennett’s new deal, which rose from $4.45 billion in his previous contract, has a salary cap of $8 million per year, down from what he was expected to be offered as a free agent by other teams. The Panthers are one of several NHL teams that play in income tax-free states, and have been a hot button issue in the league as teams like Florida, Tampa Bay and Vegas have recently won the Stanley Cup.
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The 29-year-old Bennett scored 25 goals and 26 assists in 76 games during the regular season. To say he levels up in the playoffs is an understatement. Bennett has 11 goals and 12 assists (23 points) in 21 games, played physical games and won the Contos My Strophy as playoff MVP. In the final postseason, Bennett scored 14 points in 19 playoff games in the first victory of the Panthers’ consecutive Stanley Cup victory.
“Sam is a special player who has mastered the unique blend of skill and physicality in his game and has become one of the most impactful postseason performers of his generation,” Panthers GM Bill Jeet said. “He has played an integral role in our two Stanley Cup Championships, winning the franchise’s first Conn Smythe Trophy and is an out-of-ice dedicated contributor to the South Florida community. We are excited to continue his career with the Panthers.”
In 691 games between the Panthers and Calgary Flames, which Florida acquired him in 2021, Bennett has 162 goals and 174 assists.
Bennett is one of the Panthers’ three famous, pending unlimited free agents this offseason, along with Winger Blood Merchand and defender Aaron Eckbrad.
