Contract extension on the cards? Sam Bennett drops major hint on staying with Panthers after playoff success
Is Sam Bennett hinting at a long-term future with the Florida Panthers? (Getty Images)
Sam Bennett has just delivered a postseason for the ages, and as the Florida Panthers celebrate their back-to-back Stanley Cup championships, fans are now holding their breath over one critical question: will Bennett be back?
The 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs were a career-defining stretch for Bennett, who not only helped power the Panthers to glory but also walked away with the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player of the postseason.
His 15 goals, including a record-setting 13 on the road, along with seven assists across 23 games, made him an unstoppable force throughout the playoffs. The performance was punctuated by five crucial goals in the Finals, including key tallies during the decisive 5–1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 6.
Are the Panthers and Sam Bennett close to reaching a new deal?
While Bennett is set to hit unrestricted free agency on July 1, the signs of a potential return are impossible to ignore.
In the middle of postgame celebrations, fans surrounded Bennett with chants of 'eight more years,' and rather than deny the idea, he embraced the moment—smiling, acknowledging the fans, and fueling speculation about a contract extension.
The mutual admiration between player and franchise has never been clearer. 'It's harder than I ever imagined to win the Stanley Cup once, and twice was even harder,' Bennett reflected.
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'So it's a huge honor to be a part of this group. I'm not going to take it for granted. I love being here, and I love this team.'
Bennett's statement carries weight, not just for its emotion, but for the journey it represents. His transformation in Florida has been remarkable. After arriving from Calgary with doubts clouding his potential, he has evolved into one of the league's elite playoff performers. 'I always believed in myself,' he said.
'I always knew I could be more than I was when I first got traded. But it's all a dream, I guess, until you actually do it.
'
Head coach Paul Maurice also highlighted Bennett's journey: 'There's a lot of heaviness that he had... There's a lot of work that had to go into it. He didn't show up with his talent and say, 'OK, feed me, and I'll show you how good I am.''
Sam Bennett | 2025 Conn Smythe Trophy Winner
While contract negotiations will test the Panthers' salary cap flexibility, there's a growing sense that both sides want to make it work. With FanDuel having taken down the odds on Bennett's return—previously favoring it at -230—it's clear insiders suspect a deal might already be in motion.
For now, Bennett has etched his name into Panthers lore. The only thing left is to see whether that legacy will continue to grow in Sunrise.
Also Read:
After being 'silenced' in Final, Connor McDavid's name surfaces in bold Maple Leafs trade prediction
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