Panthers' Sam Bennett a surprise mention on 'worst contracts' list

Entering this offseason, there was seemingly no shot the Florida Panthers could retain all three of their crucial free agents: Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad, and Brad Marchand.

In typical Panthers general manager Bill Zito fashion, he retained all of them. But, perhaps Florida could regret one of those signings.

Dom Luszczyszyn of The Athletic recently revealed his list of the “NHL’s 10 worst contracts.” Surprisingly, the Conn Smythe winner Bennett ranked eighth after re-signing with the Panthers on an eight-year, $64 million deal.

“In a vacuum, $8 million for Bennett is too much and so too is an eight-year term that will take up most of his 30s. In a vacuum, this deal may not age very well and it’s on this list for that reason (the first 3-4 years are fine),” Luszczszyn wrote.

“But we don’t live in a vacuum. We live in a world where Bennett is a key championship piece for a franchise with dynastic hopes. That’s all that matters. Signed by another team, Bennett’s new deal would’ve been incredibly risky. For the Panthers, and the Panthers only, it’s a risk they can easily afford.”

Even acknowledging Florida’s ability to keep stars on cheaper deals, Bennett is by no means an overpay. Other franchises would have willingly signed him for more than $8 million annually.

Sure, Bennett has never had an amazing regular season. His career highs in goals (28 in 2021-22) and points (51 in 2024-25) do not jump off the page. There were also questions about whether he could handle 2C responsibilities elsewhere, as he does not play the dominant two-way game that teams vie for from that position.

However, Bennett is a playoff riser, and that is the only thing that matters to winning teams such as the Panthers. He lit the league on fire with a postseason-high 15 goals and netted 22 points en route to Florida’s second consecutive Stanley Cup. Bennett also brings that aggression, toughness, and prickly attitude that opponents detest.

It may not age like fine wine, but the Panthers needed Bennett if it is to complete the three-peat (and, possibly more).