Sam Bennett just wrapped up an eight-year deal with the Florida Panthers, really locking in his role as a key player for the team. The forward just inked a deal for a total of $64 million, which breaks down to an average annual value of $8 million. That’s quite a jump from his last cap hit of $4.425 million! Bennett’s new contract keeps him in Sunrise until the 2032–33 season, which is great news for the Panthers as they look to keep their success going strong.

The timing of the agreement, right after his Conn Smythe Trophy win and second consecutive Stanley Cup, really highlights both his dominance on the ice and his significance off the ice. During the 2024–25 regular season, Bennett really stepped up, hitting career highs with 51 points—25 goals and 26 assists—and he also scored seven power-play goals, showing off a well-rounded offensive game. He really stepped up in the postseason, scoring an NHL-record 13 goals on the road, wrapping up with 15 playoff goals, and snagging MVP honors.

His mix of physicality, skill, and clutch moments really made him one of the most impactful postseason players we’ve seen in a while. Sam Bennett recently hopped on a Zoom call sporting a “Benny’s Buddies” hat, which was a nice little shoutout to the charitable initiative he and his fiancée, Zoe Zeleny, kicked off right after he signed his new contract.

In a recent X post, Panthers TV rinkside reporter Katie Engleson shared that during a conversation, Bennett mentioned, “That was one of the first things me and my fiance talked about. We get to continue Benny’s Buddies.” This really highlights how closely connected this program is to their common values and future goals.

Benny’s Buddies started because of Bennett’s love for animals and his fiancée’s time spent volunteering at the Humane Society of Broward County. They promise to pay the adoption fee for every pet he scores a goal for. Bennett shared at the start of the program, saying, “We [Sam and Zoe] ended up adopting a dog from the shelter here a couple weeks ago and then we just had the idea that we want to do something else to help all the other pets, dogs and cats that are here and available to get adopted. So, we thought about the program, Benny’s Buddies, and to sponsor the adoption fee of any pet for every goal I score this year is what we’re going to do. It’s a great cause and I’m really excited to be a part of it.”

Wearing the hat during that Zoom call really highlighted how Bennett feels about his eight-year, $64 million contract. It’s a moment that reflects his commitment not just to his on-ice legacy, but also to his community work off the ice. As he moves forward in his career in Florida, it’s obvious that he’ll keep on dedicating himself to helping rescue animals find loving homes. So, what did the star forward have to say about his coach after signing that extension?

Sam Bennett respects his head coach

Sam Bennett really spoke highly of Paul Maurice after signing his long-term deal, showing just how much respect he has for the coach who’s played a big role in his career lately. The hockey star mentioned, “He’s by far the best coach I’ve ever had… certainly excited to play for him for a long time.” Bennett has played in various scenarios, and he really highlights how Maurice’s mix of structure, openness, and motivation has made an impact on him, particularly during those intense playoff runs and contract seasons.

The bond between the coach and player is a key part of Bennett’s new eight-year deal and his continued influence on the Panthers. Their respect for each other and shared goal of winning have created a connection that’s just as much about growing personally as it is about the strategies on the ice.

As Bennett gets comfortable in his long-term role in Florida, it seems like the stability and guidance from Maurice’s leadership are really key to fueling the forward’s ambition and path forward.