Sam Bennett says he's staying in Florida with hopes Panthers turn into a dynasty
SUNRISE, Fla. — Sam Bennett could have gone to free agency and picked his landing spot, plus probably could have signed for much more money than the Florida Panthers were able to offer. HT Image
Instead, he chose winning.
Bennett, the reigning Conn Smythe Award winner as playoff MVP of Florida's most recent run to the Stanley Cup, spoke out Saturday about his decision to sign an eight-year, $64 million deal with the Panthers. His reasoning was actually quite simple.
'I think we have a lot more success in our future,' Bennett said.
It's not hard to envision that, given how the back-to-back Stanley Cup champions now have eight core players — Bennett, Aleksander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Reinhart, Carter Verhaeghe, Gustav Forsling, Anton Lundell and Seth Jones — under contract through at least 2030.
Bennett's status, especially after winning the Conn Smythe following a 15-goal performance in the playoffs, might have seemed to be in some question a couple weeks ago. He announced at a Miami nightclub last week that he was staying — there was no deal at the time, and his agent wasn't happy that he did that — but it was clear that Bennett was hoping something would get done in Florida.
Teammates were evidently thrilled when the news broke Friday night.
'I got like three FaceTimes right away from the boys," Bennett said. "A couple of them were together and they were so fired up. The group chat was going nuts. I've said it a million times, this group is so tight. So many guys that really care about each other. I was definitely feeling the love last night.'
Bennett is critical to the Panthers at both ends. He was one of three players in the NHL this season — Ottawa's Brady Tkachuk, Matthew Tkachuk's brother, and Washington's Tom Wilson were the other two — with at least 50 points and 90 penalty minutes.
He said his decision came down to not seeing a need to take risks. He loves playing in Florida, loves being part of the Panthers, loves who he goes to work with every day. More money or a new role wasn't going to outweigh all of that.
'I think we really have the chance to truly make this team a dynasty," Bennett said. "I'm really just grateful that I get the chance to be a part of it. There are so many pieces in this puzzle that create this team and the success that this team has. And just to be a small piece of that is an honor. Looking forward to growing this legacy for the next eight years, for sure.'
NHL: /hub/NHL
This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
ZIM vs SA, 1st Test: Zimbabwe opening batter Brian Bennett ruled out with concussion
Brian Bennett of Zimbabwe (Photo by) Zimbabwe's Brian Bennett has been sidelined from the ongoing first Test against South Africa after suffering a mild concussion. The opening batsman, who recently scored 139 against England at Nottingham, was batting at 19 runs from 24 balls on day two when he was hit on the helmet while attempting to hook a delivery from fast bowler Kwena Maphaka. Despite receiving extensive on-field medical attention, Bennett continued his innings briefly. He faced three more balls from Codi Yusuf in the following over before leaving the field. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! During the lunch interval, Zimbabwe Cricket confirmed Bennett's withdrawal from the match. Following concussion protocols, Prince Masvaure will serve as his replacement for the remainder of the Test. Poll Which debutant's performance impressed you the most in this Test? Lhuan-dre Pretorius Dewald Brevis Corbin Bosch None of them The 21-year-old Bennett will not participate further in this Test match due to the concussion-related substitution. On Saturday, South Africa's Lhuan-dre Pretorius made history by becoming the youngest player to score 150 in Test cricket, hitting 153 on debut against Zimbabwe at just 19 years and 93 days. He broke a 48-year-old record set by Pakistan's Javed Miandad. Arshdeep vs Morkel: WWE at the Nets! | Team India's Lighter Moment in Birmingham Pretorius also became the youngest South African to score a Test century, reaching his hundred off 112 balls and his 150 in just 157. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Coming in at 23-3, he and fellow debutant Dewald Brevis (51) helped rescue South Africa with a rapid 95-run stand. Corbin Bosch, in his second Test, added another century, finishing day one unbeaten after reaching 100 on the third-last ball. South Africa, playing with three debutants and resting many senior players, ended the day on 418-9. Spinner Keshav Maharaj captained the side in their first Test in Zimbabwe in 11 years. Despite two edge appeals, Pretorius was not given out and made the most of his fortune in a memorable debut.
Hans India
an hour ago
- Hans India
Zimbabwe opener Brian Bennett ruled out of ongoing Test against South Africa with concussion
Bulawayo: Zimbabwe opener Brian has been ruled out of playing in the side's ongoing Test against South Africa at Queens Sports Club due to a mild concussion. Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) said Prince Masvaure has been named as Bennett's replacement and will mark his 10th appearance in Test cricket. The incident happened when Bennett was struck on the helmet while attempting a hook shot off the final delivery of the sixth over bowled by South Africa fast bowler Kwena Maphaka, and retired hurt. At the time of the incident, Bennett had scored 19 runs off 28 balls, including four boundaries. "Zimbabwe opener Brian Bennett will play no further part in the ongoing Test match against South Africa at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo after being diagnosed with a mild concussion. As per concussion protocols, he will take no further part in the match,' said ZC in a statement on Sunday. Coming to the match on day two's play, Zimbabwe are currently at 94/2 in 27 overs, with Sean Williams and skipper Craig Ervine unbeaten on 45 and 24 respectively. In the morning, South Africa declared their innings at 418/9, with teenaged left-handed wicketkeeper-batter Lhuan-dre Pretorius hitting a dazzling 153 on debut while number eight batter Corbin Bosch scored his maiden Test hundred and was unbeaten. At 19 years and 93 days, Pretorius became the youngest South African men's batter to hit a Test century and the seventh from his country to make a hundred on debut in the longer format. After the declaration, South Africa, who won the World Test Championship against Australia at Lord's just two weeks ago, got a dream start with the ball, as debutant pacer Codi Yusuf removed Takudzwanashe Kaitano and Nick Welch, before Williams and Ervine steadied Zimbabwe's ship.
Time of India
12 hours ago
- Time of India
NHL Rumors: Austin emerges as top contender for $2 billion expansion franchise amid growing competition
Austin, Texas, is emerging as a strong contender for a new NHL expansion team (Getty Images) The NHL may soon welcome a new team, and a surprising city is rising through the ranks—Austin, Texas. Long overshadowed by nearby Dallas and Houston in the world of pro sports, Austin is now making headlines as it officially joins the list of cities competing for an NHL expansion franchise. With the league setting the franchise fee at a staggering $2 billion, the race is quickly becoming one of the most expensive and competitive in hockey history. Why Austin is gaining serious traction in the NHL expansion race Austin's pitch has something the others lack: a relatively untapped pro sports market. Unlike Atlanta, Houston, Indianapolis, and New Orleans—cities already home to NFL, NBA, or MLB teams—Austin would be offering the NHL an exclusive stage. With no existing major league team to compete with, a new hockey franchise could dominate the city's growing and youthful population, which has long craved a team of its own. — frank_seravalli (@frank_seravalli) That could give Austin a critical edge. As Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli reported, the NHL has been fielding informal proposals despite not launching a formal expansion process. Commissioner Gary Bettman confirmed that, stating, 'We have no pending applications and we're not seeking to initiate a formal process at this point.' However, Bettman also outlined the league's strict standards for any future team, saying it must check four key boxes: 'a cohesive and well-heeled ownership group, an NHL-ready arena, a growing market and a way to make the league better than it was.' NHL expansion remains deliberate but inevitable While no new franchises are imminent, momentum is building. The last major wave of expansion happened in 2000, when the Columbus Blue Jackets and Minnesota Wild joined the NHL. Doug MacLean, the Blue Jackets' GM at the time, reflected on the era: 'It's pretty bizarre when you think about it… things had been picked pretty clean by two previous expansions in back-to-back years.' Since then, the league has remained stable, though notable shifts have occurred. The Arizona Coyotes folded and were replaced by the Utah Mammoth, and the Seattle Kraken and Vegas Golden Knights brought new life to the league. Also Read: NHL Trade Rumors: Flyers eye Canucks' Arturs Silovs as potential answer to goaltending dilemma Now, with a surging market and no competition within city limits, Austin could become hockey's next frontier—if it meets the league's lofty demands. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
