Sam Bennett has not yet signed his extension with the Florida Panthers, but during the celebrations of their back-to-back NHL Stanley Cup championships, he made it clear that he intends to stay alongside Matthew Tkachuk and the rest of the team. These are crucial hours for the negotiations with the 34-year-old forward, who is just days away from the end of his current contract.
The expectation is to reach a long-term agreement, between six and eight years, with an estimated average annual salary between $7 and $8 million. It would undoubtedly be a significant deal that aligns with Tkachuk’s advice to Bennett, telling him to “make as much as you possibly can.”
Florida’s front office has the financial flexibility to make the contract happen and seems determined to retain the championship-winning core on both offense and defense. However, at the moment, one report suggests there could be a minor delay in the negotiations.
Could Bennett’s extension with the Panthers become complicated?
While it seemed the championship celebration would go hand in hand with a formal announcement, the reality is that fans may have to wait a bit longer, even though both sides appear ready to renew their commitment. “As of this morning, no extension with Sam Bennett is complete — although, obviously, conversations continue,” reported NHL insider Elliotte Friedman.
A preview of the announcement during the celebration
Even if Friedman’s information holds true, one scene during the celebrations hinted at an imminent announcement. While Bennett was on stage, a screen behind him displayed the message “8 more years,” referring to a possible eight-year extension.
Positive outlook in Florida
General manager Bill Zito has stated he’s willing to retain key players like Bennett, Brad Marchand, and Aaron Ekblad, who are all set to become unrestricted free agents on July 1. For Florida, these potential moves reflect the team’s ambition to chase a third straight Stanley Cup title.
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