NHL Free Agency: Panthers & Sam Bennett Resume Contract Extension Talks

Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett is one of the NHL's top pending unrestricted free agents. Due to this, if he hits the free agent market on July 1, he will have an array of suitors. However, the Panthers are working hard to try to avoid that from happening.

In the latest episode of Sportsnet's Saturday Headlines, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reported that the Panthers and Bennett have re-engaged in contract extension talks now that the trade deadline has passed.

Saturday Headlines: Bennett and Panthers re-start talks, we will see:https://t.co/YQodGJqhsT
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) March 16, 2025

"There's not a lot of business that generally happens at this point of the year. Things really do calm down, but Sam Bennett, as it stands right now, would be one of the biggest free agents available on July 1 if he gets there," Friedman said. "I don't want to handicap this, but the word in the pressbox Thursday night when Florida played in Toronto was that talks have resumed between Bennett and the Panthers... They are trying, and it's been a very good marriage between player and team."

Hearing that the Panthers are once again working to extend Bennett is not surprising in the slightest. He is one of their top stars, as he provides both offense and plenty of grit to go along with it. As a result, it would be massive if they found a way to keep him around beyond this season.

Bennett is having another strong season with the Panthers in 2024-25, as he has 22 goals, 45 points, and 136 hits. Due to this, he is certainly due for a nice raise from his current $4.425 million AAV. It will be fascinating to see if the Panthers and Bennett can come to terms on a new contract extension from here.