SUNRISE, Fla. – The Florida Panthers have locked up one of their playoff stars, agreeing to an eight-year contract extension worth $64 million with forward Sam Bennett, the team announced Friday.
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Bennett, 29, was named the 2025 Conn Smythe Trophy winner after helping lead the Panthers to their second consecutive Stanley Cup championship.
Panthers President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Bill Zito called him “a special player” who combines skill and physicality and “has become one of the most impactful postseason performers of his generation.”
“He played an integral role in our two Stanley Cup championships, earning the franchise’s first Conn Smythe Trophy and is a dedicated contributor to our South Florida community off the ice,” Zito said in a news release. “We are thrilled that he will continue his career with the Panthers.”
Bennett had a career year in 2024-25, tallying personal bests in assists (26), total points (51), and power-play goals (7). His 25 goals were second on the team behind Sam Reinhart, and his 145 hits ranked fourth among Panthers skaters.
The veteran center, originally drafted fourth overall by Calgary in 2014, has played in 691 NHL games with Calgary and Florida, posting 336 points (162 goals, 174 assists).
Since joining the Panthers during the 2020-21 season, he’s scored 95 goals and 101 assists in 289 regular-season games. In the playoffs, he has 59 points in 77 games, according to NHL.com
Bennett led all skaters in the 2025 postseason with 15 goals, including 13 on the road — a new NHL record. Eleven of those came at even strength, tied for the Panthers’ team lead. He also topped Florida in shots on goal (69) and led all skaters in hits during the playoffs (107).
He’s racked up 338 playoff hits since 2021, more than any other player in the NHL over that span.
Not only has Bennett been a star on the ice, but he’s also been shown love and dedication through his “Benny’s Buddies” charity where he has helped pets find a “furever homes.”
On his Instagram Friday, Bennett once again quoted Leonardo DiCaprio from the hit movie “The Wolf of Wallstreet” and said, I’m not f-----g leaving!"
The Panthers, now two-time defending champions, are preparing for the 2025-26 season. Fans interested in season ticket memberships can join the waitlist at FloridaPanthers.com/tickets.
