Sam Bennett lands massive max-term deal in Florida!

The Florida Panthers were not going to lose pending free agent forward Sam Bennett. On Friday, just one hour prior to the first round of the NHL Draft, they announced that they had re-sign Bennett to a massive eight-year, $64 million contract with the Panthers, worth $8 million in AAV

The deal also includes a no-movement clause in the first five years, which then becomes a partial no-trade clause in the last three, per Elliotte Friedman.

Bennett, who could have been one of the most coveted free agent forwards on the market, had 51 points (25 goals, 26 assists) in 76 regular-season games for the Panthers this season and 22 points (15 goals, seven assists) in 23 Stanley Cup Playoff games to help Florida win the Stanley Cup for the second straight season. He won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP and set an NHL record with 13 road goals.

Bennett also won the Stanley Cup with the Panthers in 2024 when he put up 14 points (seven goals, seven assists) in 19 playoff games.

He was drafted fourth overall in 2014 by the Calgary Flames.

During the Panthers' celebration throughout the last week, Bennett was caught on tape more than once saying he was not leaving Florida. Well, he just put his money where his mouth is on Friday. He later posted on social media: