Elliotte Friedman Hints at Sam Bennett's Price Tag Before Free Agency

Friedman, speaking Friday on SN 590, reported that negotiations between the Panthers and Bennett’s camp are centering around a long-term deal in the "$7.5 to $8 million AAV range." Friedman clarified that the annual cap hit will be “closer to $7.5M than $8.”

Then, writing a "32 Thoughts" column on Saturday, Friedman added more thoughts to what he said on Friday's podcast.

"As the sun rose, everyone was pumping the brakes on Bennett extension talk, warning not to take such liquified announcements too seriously," Friedman wrote about Bennett's comment at the Panthers party. "It’s hard to believe he’d make such a bold proclamation without knowing where this was going, but nothing’s done until it is done."

Panthers general manager Bill Zito has already signaled his intention to keep Florida's top-three pending free agents — Bennett, Brad Marchand, and Aaron Ekblad — in the fold.

"We’re going to spend to the cap," Zito said during an appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show" on Wednesday. "The Viola family ownership has empowered us to try to do everything we can to have the best team we can. So we’re going to spend it all."