Sam Bennett Signs Eight-Year Extension With Florida

Sam Bennett Signs Eight-Year Extension With Florida

One down, two to go? Bill Zito says he wants all three big-time impending free agents back (Sam Bennett, Brad Marchand, and Aaron Ekblad). The former has been inked and is officially in the bag. Sam Bennett isn’t going anywhere.

The Florida Panthers’ team website was actually the first to report the news here. Bennett will sign an eight-year extension that carries an AAV of $8 million. They put this presser out to announce the news:

“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,” said Zito. “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.”

Nerds Will Never Understand Sam Bennett

Bennett, 29, notched 51 points this past regular season, which was actually a career high. Of course, the pure point totals aren’t why Florida is extending the player. Bennett isn’t just a good hockey player. He’s also a prick in the best way possible. The former first round (4th overall) of the 2014 NHL Draft by the Calgary Flames won the Conn Smythe this past year too. That trade now looks like highway robbery. Sam Bennett for a second round pick? It’s one of many examples of how Bill Zito turned this franchise into the standard of excellence that everyone else around the league is chasing.

Subscribe to Vendetta’s Twitch

Subscribe to Vendetta’s YouTube

Check out the Vendetta Shop

Click here for more NHL content