Sam Bennett is due for a significant payday.
The Florida Panthers’ second line center just won the Conn Smythe after helping them to a second straight Stanley Cup title. Bennett scored 15 goals, 11 of which came during even strength (both led the league), 22 points, and was tied with teammate Brad Marchand for the league lead in penalty minutes (48).
He is an interesting free agent case, however, because of a lack of regular season point production. Are teams going to pay $9-$10 million annually for someone who has only recorded 50 points once (25 goals, 26 assists in 2024-25)?
Most of the desperate franchises willing to overpay for Bennett’s services just want to get into the big dance. Winning it is an entirely different beast, but that is when Bennett is at his best.
NHL Insider Frank Seravalli expects Bennett’s contract to be approximately 8 years at $7.5 million annually.
This figure feels a touch low given Bennett is coming off a Conn Smythe-caliber effort. It also means the Panthers have a legitimate shot at bringing him back.
For Bennett, sticking in Florida, even at a discount, feels like the right move. Seemingly, everyone who joins this Paul Maurice-led system turns into the best version of themselves, and Bennett is no different.
He is a talented player and would thrive anywhere. But his hard-nosed, aggressive style fits seamlessly on the Panthers, and becoming a marquee player elsewhere could be too tall of a task.
Bennett could make more than $60 million total on another team, but few will provide him with the opportunity to win multiple more Stanley Cups like Florida.
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