Sam Bennett might have jumped the gun with his on-stage comments at the Florida Panthers’ Stanley Cup celebration, but it seems he wasn’t too far off base. As the confetti settles in Sunrise, Florida appears determined to keep one of its playoff cornerstones in town for years to come.
While no deal has been officially signed, recent developments suggest contract talks between Bennett and the Panthers have accelerated. The 27-year-old center became an emotional centerpiece of Florida’s Cup run and now stands as a priority as the front office begins shaping next season’s roster.
Despite reports surfacing during the Panthers’ victory parade, Bennett’s agent quickly set the record straight. But behind the scenes, there appears to be growing momentum toward a significant extension.
Bennett’s agent responds amid growing buzz
“At this time, no contract has been signed,” said Darren Ferris, Bennett’s agent, in a statement to the Toronto Sun. “When there’s something official, we’ll share it accordingly.”
Sam Bennett #9 of the Florida Panthers celebrates with the Stanley Cup after winning in Game Six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Finals at Amerant Bank Arena on June 17, 2025 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Inside the numbers
According to Elliotte Friedman, speaking on SN 590 on Friday, the Panthers and Bennett are discussing a deal with an average annual value in the $7.5 to $8 million range. Friedman added that the number will likely come in “closer to $7.5M than $8M.”
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NHL News: Sam Bennett sends clear message about future during Panthers’ Stanley Cup celebration
In his 32 Thoughts column the next day, Friedman expanded further on the context of Bennett’s public comments: “As the sun rose, everyone was pumping the brakes on Bennett extension talk, warning not to take such liquified announcements too seriously… It’s hard to believe he’d make such a bold proclamation without knowing where this was going, but nothing’s done until it is done.”
Zito affirms offseason strategy: Spend to win
Panthers GM Bill Zito has made no secret of his offseason strategy: keep the core intact, including Brad Marchand and Aaron Ekblad, and commit to spending aggressively under the cap.
“We’re going to spend to the cap,” Zito told The Pat McAfee Show. “The Viola family ownership has empowered us to try to do everything we can to have the best team we can. So we’re going to spend it all.”
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Though no official announcement has been made, all signs point to an agreement nearing completion. If finalized, Bennett’s extension would signal Florida’s clear intention to build upon back-to-back Stanley Cup titles—and solidify his place in the franchise’s long-term plans.
