Contract extension on the cards? Sam Bennett drops major hint on staying with Panthers after playoff success
Is Sam Bennett hinting at a long-term future with the Florida Panthers? (Getty Images)
Sam Bennett has just delivered a postseason for the ages, and as the Florida Panthers celebrate their back-to-back Stanley Cup championships, fans are now holding their breath over one critical question: will Bennett be back?
The 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs were a career-defining stretch for Bennett, who not only helped power the Panthers to glory but also walked away with the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player of the postseason.
His 15 goals, including a record-setting 13 on the road, along with seven assists across 23 games, made him an unstoppable force throughout the playoffs. The performance was punctuated by five crucial goals in the Finals, including key tallies during the decisive 5–1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 6.
Are the Panthers and Sam Bennett close to reaching a new deal?
While Bennett is set to hit unrestricted free agency on July 1, the signs of a potential return are impossible to ignore.
In the middle of postgame celebrations, fans surrounded Bennett with chants of 'eight more years,' and rather than deny the idea, he embraced the moment—smiling, acknowledging the fans, and fueling speculation about a contract extension.
The mutual admiration between player and franchise has never been clearer. 'It's harder than I ever imagined to win the Stanley Cup once, and twice was even harder,' Bennett reflected.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Memperdagangkan CFD Emas dengan salah satu spread terendah?
IC Markets
Mendaftar
Undo
'So it's a huge honor to be a part of this group. I'm not going to take it for granted. I love being here, and I love this team.'
Bennett's statement carries weight, not just for its emotion, but for the journey it represents. His transformation in Florida has been remarkable. After arriving from Calgary with doubts clouding his potential, he has evolved into one of the league's elite playoff performers. 'I always believed in myself,' he said.
'I always knew I could be more than I was when I first got traded. But it's all a dream, I guess, until you actually do it.
'
Head coach Paul Maurice also highlighted Bennett's journey: 'There's a lot of heaviness that he had... There's a lot of work that had to go into it. He didn't show up with his talent and say, 'OK, feed me, and I'll show you how good I am.''
Sam Bennett | 2025 Conn Smythe Trophy Winner
While contract negotiations will test the Panthers' salary cap flexibility, there's a growing sense that both sides want to make it work. With FanDuel having taken down the odds on Bennett's return—previously favoring it at -230—it's clear insiders suspect a deal might already be in motion.
For now, Bennett has etched his name into Panthers lore. The only thing left is to see whether that legacy will continue to grow in Sunrise.
Also Read:
After being 'silenced' in Final, Connor McDavid's name surfaces in bold Maple Leafs trade prediction
Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
27 minutes ago
- Time of India
IND vs ENG: Hardik Pandya posts Instagram Story for debutant Sai Sudharsan
Sai Sudharsan makes his Test debut vs Englalnd in the first Test in Leeds (Image via X/@BCCI & Instagram/@hardikpandya93) India's young and evolving Test side has embarked on a bold new chapter as they take on England in the first Test of the new World Test Championship cycle at Headingley. England won the toss and elected to bowl first on a green-tinged pitch, setting the stage for a challenging contest in overcast conditions. Shubman Gill leads the side, signaling a new era of leadership following the retirements of stalwarts like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. The spotlight is firmly on 23-year-old Sai Sudharsan, who makes his Test debut at No. 3. Despite relatively modest first-class numbers — 1,957 runs in 49 innings at an average of 39.93 with a highest score of 213 — Sudharsan's temperament, timing, and recent form have made him impossible to overlook. His ability to handle pressure and adjust to varying conditions has been a key factor in his elevation to the Test squad. How Shubman Gill prepared for the first Test vs England in Leeds | Exclusive from Nets Hardik Pandya, a senior member of the Indian team and Mumbai Indians skipper expressed his support for Sudharsan's debut on Instagram, writing, 'Well deserved @sais_1509! Go well,' reflecting reflects the team's confidence in the young batsman and the positive environment within the squad. Sudharsan's debut date - June 20 - coincides with the likes of Rahul Dravid, Ravindra Jadeja and Sourav Ganguly. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Hardik Pandya's Instagram story for Sai Sudharsan's debut (Image via Instagram/@hardikpandya93) India's decision to back potential over past records highlights the team management's forward-looking approach. Sudharsan's inclusion symbolizes this philosophy, as India looks to build a competitive side for the future. As Sudharsan walks out to face the Dukes ball in challenging English conditions, he carries not only the hopes of the team but also the clear message that the future of Indian Test cricket is bright and unfolding now. This Test match promises to be a fascinating contest, with India's young lineup eager to prove themselves on the world stage. India's Playing XI vs England : Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (Captain), Rishabh Pant (Vice-Captain), Karun Nair, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Prasidh Krishna, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj. Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
Time of India
42 minutes ago
- Time of India
'I failed…being a leader': Travis Kelce admits leadership breakdown—will Taylor Swift be his distraction or drive?
After a crushing Super Bowl loss, Travis Kelce isn't ready to hang up his cleats just yet (Imagn Images) After a Super Bowl defeat, Travis Kelce is resolute to return for another NFL season with the Kansas City Chiefs, aiming purely just for championships. He feels that he has more to prove, and the loss enhanced his drive. Meanwhile, his girlfriend Taylor Swift 's clear tour schedule means she can attend more games, offering consistent support. Travis Kelce's brutal self-blame for Super Bowl loss sparks NFL revenge season with Taylor Swift by his side Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is set to return for another NFL season, driven by a tenacious desire for championship success. Following a stinging Super Bowl defeat, the 35-year-old athlete confirmed his decision, stating it was "not a very tough [decision] for me." Despite his age, Kelce feels "I still feel like I got a lot that I can prove in this league." The defeat, a 40-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, clearly fuels his motivation. He admitted, "I really didn't feel like it was my last game. Just felt like I've got a lot more to prove." Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Select Chiefs Players Speak with the Media | JUNE 18, 2025 Kelce reviewed his performance in the championship game, acknowledging, "Last year I think I failed especially in that last game, in being a leader and being the one that can step up and make plays." This self-critique has only intensified his resolve. He declared, "Last year wasn't a success for me, and I'm motivated to make sure we get that other ring this year." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Brass Krishna Idols For Prosperity & Protection In Life Luxeartisanship Shop Now Undo His ultimate goal is clear: "I'm only interested in Super Bowl rings." Beyond the pursuit of legacy, his deep affection for the sport and his team, plays a vital role. "I love football," he said, adding, "My friends and family and the team and the guys and women in this building—I love coming into work every single day." While the decision to return wasn't rushed, Kelce allowed his emotions to settle before committing. "You want to let the emotions die down," he explained, underscoring, "That was the biggest thing — you don't want to make decisions off initial emotions." Nonetheless, once the initial sting of the loss subsided, his passion remained. He noted, "I still felt like I had that fire in my chest to be able to keep coming in and building and be better and chase another Super Bowl. " Toning up the excitement around his return, his girlfriend, pop superstar Taylor Swift, is self-contained to be a more frequent presence at his games. For the first time since their relationship began in 2023, Swift is entering an NFL season without the demands of a global tour. A source disclosed, "Taylor is really looking forward to the upcoming NFL season. Not just because she loves supporting Travis, but because for the first full season since they started dating, she's not juggling a packed tour schedule." The insider added, "This fall will be completely different. It's the first season where she's not constantly flying back and forth or working around an entire touring calendar." Having concluded her highly successful Eras Tour in December 2024, Swift's unoccupied schedule means "Her schedule is much more open now that the Eras Tour is wrapped and she's genuinely excited to have the time and flexibility to show up for Travis more consistently." This shift allows the couple to embrace a new, more stable rhythm, with Swift planning to be at "as many of his games as possible.' Also Read: Taylor Swift's texts exposed in Blake Lively court loss — will this strain the popstar's relationship with Travis Kelce? Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Kai Cenat announces epic IRL stream with LeBron James on June 21, says 'This s**t gonna be insane'
(Image via Getty Images/@Neilson Barnard) In the most hype-inducing announcement of the summer, streaming superstar Kai Cenat has officially confirmed he's going live IRL with none other than LeBron James. Yeah, you read that right. The king of content meets the King of the Court. Saturday, June 21, is now officially a national holiday for the internet. Here's everything we know about the upcoming livestream by Kai Cenat. Kai x LeBron: The Most Unexpected Crossover of 2025? On June 19, 2025, Kai took to his stream to casually announce that a real-world livestream with LeBron James is officially happening this Saturday, June 21. And he's not just hyped about it, he's practically levitating. 'This s**t gonna be insane!' he shouted, barely containing the energy that's now got all of Twitch — and beyond — waiting on standby. — StreamUpdates7 (@StreamUpdates7) The Stream Time is Locked If you're planning your weekend around this stream (as you should), mark your calendar and set that alarm. Kai confirmed the live will start on June 21, 2025, between 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm ET. Yes, it's early, by streamer standards, at least, but absolutely worth dragging yourself out of bed for. The Maverick Carter Connection So, how did this iconic link-up come to life? According to Kai, it all started with a chat with Maverick Carter, LeBron's longtime business partner and the brains behind The Shop — LeBron's no-filter barbershop talk show. Apparently, Maverick vouched for Kai, told him LeBron 'f**k with him,' and the rest is Twitch history in the making. Kai made it sound like it just happened , but fans know this moment's been building up for years. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Kai's Old Clip Resurfaces Right on cue, the internet dug up an old clip of Kai manifesting this exact moment. In the resurfaced video, he promises to bring Cash Nasty and FlightReacts onto the stream if he ever gets the chance to go live with LeBron. Now that it's actually happening, fans are flooding the comments asking: 'Is Flight coming? What about Cash?' While there's been no official confirmation yet, it wouldn't be a Kai stream without some surprises in the mix. Twitter Is Already Melting X (formerly Twitter) has exploded with reactions. From fans screaming 'WE WILL BE WATCHING OMG' to memes about LeBron dropping 'a million lies' on stream, the hype is real and relentless . One user joked, 'I guess Drake will be back in August,' a callback to the long-running gag of celebrity stream appearances Kai Cenat x LeBron James is the stream we didn't know we needed but absolutely deserve. It's not just two celebrities hanging out, it's two icons from different worlds colliding for what's shaping up to be the most-watched 30 minutes in IRL streaming history. Mark your calendars. Charge your phones. Cancel everything. Because it's really gonna be insane. Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
