The Panthers recently locked in Carter Verhaeghe with a big contract, and now they’re focusing on Sam Bennett for a possible extension. Talks have just begun, so there’s no rush to finalize anything yet.
Bennett, who was once a high draft pick by Calgary, didn’t quite meet expectations there. He only hit 30 points once in five seasons before being traded to Florida for a second-round pick and Emil Heineman, who later moved to Montreal.
In Florida, Bennett’s performance has improved significantly. He’s scored at least 40 points each season and had 28 goals in the 2021-22 season. This year is off to a good start too with seven points in seven games. Fans might think he’s finally found his stride.
Contract Discussions:
Bennett is more than just an offensive player; he’s also known as a strong power forward. These players often get higher contracts, especially when they can become free agents soon. His role in Florida’s recent playoff success adds weight to his negotiations.
With all this in mind, it seems like Bennett could be getting a big raise from his current $4.425M salary. But how much can the Panthers actually pay him? They’ve already committed $10M per year to Barkov until 2030 and $5M annually for Lundell through the same period.
Florida has about $73M tied up with 16 players next season according to PuckPedia. The salary cap might go up slightly from its current $88M limit, giving them some room for new deals but not much flexibility if they need another high-priced contract like Ekblad’s replacement or re-signing.
Fans may wonder if letting go of such an important center would be wise since Bennett would likely attract many offers if he hits free agency next summer.
In conclusion, balancing their budget while keeping key players will be tricky for the Panthers! What do you think they should do?
