Conn Smythe Trophy Winner Sam Bennett Officially Signs New Contract

Bennett led all NHL players with 15 goals in the postseason, including 13 of them away from Amerant Bank Arena ice, setting a new postseason record.

Bennett, who began his NHL career with the Calgary Flames but was acquired by the Panthers in a trade in 2022, explained recently that he had 3 priorities upon his arrival in Florida.

No. 1, where can I win? Here. No. 2: Where can I make the most money? That was also here. No. 3 was life outside of the rink, where was the best place to be? And that's pretty obvious. Down here is No. 1 in the League. So that was my list. And I have a feeling that's probably pretty much common for a lot of players.

Bennett's teammate Matthew Tkachuk also recently expressed his hope that Florida's pending UFA players got hefty financial guarantees with their new deals while also saying he'd love it if it were with the Panthers.

So it's time to cash in for some of those boys. And hopefully, it's here. If not, it is what it is, but I'm so happy for them. And whatever happens, happens. But if they're gone, we're going to be champions and walk together forever.

Tkachuk is getting his wish with Bennett, as they'll continue as teammates for many more years to come.