In a major move that reinforces the Florida Panthers’ commitment to long-term success, forward Sam Bennett has signed a blockbuster 8-year, $64 million contract extension, the team announced Thursday afternoon. The deal averages $8 million per year, securing one of the franchise’s most physical and reliable two-way forwards through the 2032–33 NHL season.
The 29-year-old center, who has become a staple of Florida’s middle-six since being acquired from the Calgary Flames in 2021, is coming off a career-best season. In 2024–25, Bennett tallied 27 goals and 36 assists for 63 points, while playing a crucial role in the Panthers’ deep playoff run. Known for his rugged style, penalty killing, and timely scoring, Bennett has earned a reputation as one of the league’s most underrated forwards.
“Sam embodies everything we want in a Panther: toughness, leadership, consistency,” said Panthers GM Bill Zito. “He’s a competitor who thrives in big moments, and locking him in for the long term shows our belief in what we’re building.”
The $64 million extension represents a significant pay raise for Bennett, whose previous deal paid him $4.425 million annually. With the new contract, he joins the likes of Matthew Tkachuk and Aleksander Barkov as core pieces of the team’s future.
“I’m beyond excited to stay in South Florida,” Bennett said in a team press release. “This organization has believed in me since day one, and I want to win a Stanley Cup here. We’ve got unfinished business.”
The Panthers have become a force in the Eastern Conference, highlighted by their back-to-back deep playoff appearances and an increasingly strong core. With Bennett now signed long-term, the team’s foundation looks more secure than ever.
