SUNRISE, Fla. — As Sam Bennett approached the front of the stage during the Florida Panthers` recent Stanley Cup championship parade, the crowd immediately began chanting their clear request before he could utter a single word.
“Eight more years! Eight more years!” they shouted, repeating the plea.
Their fervent wish has now been granted.
Bennett, who notably led the National Hockey League with 15 goals during this year`s playoffs and set a new franchise record for the most goals by a Panthers player in a single postseason, will remain with the back-to-back Stanley Cup champions. On Friday, he and the Florida organization finalized a new eight-year contract agreement, valued at $64 million, which translates to an average annual salary of $8 million.
Panthers General Manager and President of Hockey Operations, Bill Zito, commented on the signing: “Sam is an exceptional player who has mastered a unique combination of skill and physical play in his game, becoming one of the most impactful post-season performers of his generation. He played a crucial role in our two Stanley Cup victories, earning the franchise’s first Conn Smythe Trophy, and is a dedicated member of our South Florida community off the ice. We are absolutely thrilled that he will continue his career with the Panthers.”
Tristan Blackwood