The Florida Panthers kept Sam Bennett away from NHL free agency.
They re-signed the Conn Smythe Trophy winner to an eight-year extension at an $8 million average annual value.
Bennett, 29, was projected to be one of the top centers available in free agency if he was unsigned by July 1. Instead, he's not leaving the back-to-back Stanley Cup champions.
His new deal includes a no-move clause for the first five years of the contract, followed by a limited no-trade clause for the final three years, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman. His contract will expire after the 2032-33 season, when he will be 37 years old.
Bennett made his intentions clear that he wanted to remain a Panther during the team’s post-Cup celebrations.
“I ain't f-----g leaving,” Bennett said into the microphone, referencing Leonardo DiCaprio’s famous line from the movie Wolf of Wall Street.
Now, Bennett’s statement has become a reality, and the Panthers’ GM couldn’t be happier about keeping on the two-time Stanley Cup champion.
“Sam is a special player who has mastered a unique blend of skill and physicality in his game, becoming one of the most impactful postseason performers of his generation,” Panthers GM Bill Zito said in a news release. “He played an integral role in our two Stanley Cup championships, earning the franchise’s first Conn Smythe Trophy and is a dedicated contributor to our South Florida community off the ice. We are thrilled that he will continue his career with the Panthers.”
Out of his 11 years in the NHL, the 29-year-old arguably played his best this past season. He recorded a career-high 51 points in the regular season with 25 goals and 26 assists.
However, his playoff performance likely played a big part in his new cap hit. Bennett led the NHL in post-season goals with 15, ending the Cup run with 22 points in 23 appearances.
With Bennett being the latest center to sign an extension with his team, the UFA market for a middleman becomes even thinner. John Tavares, Matt Duchene and Brock Nelson were also all pending UFA centers who re-signed with their respective teams.
Some pending UFA pivots who remain unsigned include Mikael Granlund and Pius Suter.
The Panthers kept Bennett from being possibly the top UFA center by giving him the priciest and longest contract in his career. But Zito can’t relax just yet. Left winger Brad Marchand and defenseman Aaron Ekblad also require new contracts before Tuesday’s free agency opener, or else they can sign with another squad.
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