The Florida Panthers are keeping their original rat king. On Friday, the team announced they had signed Bennett to an eight-year extension. The deal comes with an average annual value (AAV) of $8 million, per Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press. “Sam is a special player who has mastered a unique blend of skill and physicality in his game, becoming one of the most impactful postseason performers of his generation,” Panthers General Manager Bill Zito said in a statement released by the team. “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. We are thrilled that he will continue his career with the Panthers.” The new deal will keep Bennett with the Panthers through 2033. This doesn't come as a major surprise since Bennett has said more than once over the past couple weeks [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/sam-bennett-makes-massive-announcement-about-panthers-future] that he was going to stay with Florida. He joins Sasha Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Reinhart, Seth Jones, Carter Verhaeghe, Gus Forsling and Anton Lundell as key members of the team who are signed for the foreseeable future. Florida originally acquired Bennett in April of 2021 from the Calgary Flames in exchange for a second-round pick and prospect Emil Heineman. Bennett was chosen by Calgary with the fourth overall selection in the 2014 NHL Draft. During his five seasons with the Panthers, Bennett has racked up 95 goals and 196 points in 289 games. He’s added another 29 goals and 59 points in 77 playoff games with Florida. With Bennett now signed, focus will shift to Florida's remaining unrestricted free agents, including the two biggest ones: Aaron Ekblad and Brad Marchand. We'll see what happens between now and July 1, when free agency officially begins. LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA The Hockey Show: Stanley Cup parade, NHL Draft, free agency, hockey diversity [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/the-hockey-show-stanley-cup-parade-nhl-draft-free-agency-hockey-diversity] NHL Rumors: 2 Teams Linked To Panthers' Aaron Ekblad [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/nhl-rumors-2-teams-linked-to-panthers-aaron-ekblad] Florida Panthers 2025 NHL Draft primer [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/florida-panthers-2025-nhl-draft-primer] Panthers Trade Forward Prospect To Capitals [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/panthers-trade-forward-prospect-to-capitals] Brad Marchand put up amazing numbers in games after a Panthers loss during Florida's Stanley Cup run [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/players/brad-marchand-put-up-amazing-numbers-in-games-after-a-panthers-loss-during-florida-s-stanley-cup-run] Photo caption: May 16, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett (9) looks on against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the second period in game six of the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amerant Bank Arena. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)
