March 17, 2025 | 10:57am ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

BENNETT, PANTHERS MAKING PROGRESS ON NEW DEAL?

Sam Bennett, centre

Contract negotiations between the Florida Panthers and centre Sam Bennett seem to be back on track after a pause in talks earlier in the season.

During the “Saturday Headlines” segment on Hockey Night in Canada, Elliotte Friedman reported the two sides have resumed discussions and are looking at getting a deal done again.

Bennett, 28, is in the final year of a four-year, $17.7 million contract and is eligible to become an undrafted free agent July 1.

“Talks have resumed between Bennett and the Panthers,” Friedman said on Saturday. “I don’t want to handicap it, don’t want to say one ay or another. But they are trying, and it’s been a very good marriage between player and team.”

Friedman reiterated his comments during Monday’s “32 Thoughts” podcast episode and while he wouldn’t put a timeline on things, he did suggest the Panthers could work towards getting a deal done in a creative manner that keeps Bennett from hitting the open market this summer.

“When it comes to Florida, you sign at their number,” he said. “One thing about Florida, they do structure that really benefits the player.”

It is unclear as to the type of contract Bennett is looking for, but his next contract is expected to come with an AAV that surpasses the $7 million mark.

In 66 games with the Panthers so far this season, Bennett has registered 22 goals and 23 assists for 45 points.