Introduction to Sam Bennett’s Decision
SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Sam Bennett could have gone to free agency and picked his landing spot, plus probably could have signed for much more money than the Florida Panthers were able to offer. Instead, he chose winning. Bennett, the reigning Conn Smythe Award winner as playoff MVP of Florida’s most recent run to the Stanley Cup, spoke out Saturday about his decision to sign an eight-year, $64 million deal with the Panthers.
Reasons Behind the Decision
Bennett’s reasoning was actually quite simple. “I think we have a lot more success in our future,” Bennett said. It’s not hard to envision that, given how the back-to-back Stanley Cup champions now have eight core players — Bennett, Aleksander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Reinhart, Carter Verhaeghe, Gustav Forsling, Anton Lundell, and Seth Jones — under contract through at least 2030.
Reaction from Teammates
Bennett’s status, especially after winning the Conn Smythe following a 15-goal performance in the playoffs, might have seemed to be in some question a couple weeks ago. He announced at a Miami nightclub last week that he was staying — there was no deal at the time, and his agent wasn’t happy that he did that — but it was clear that Bennett was hoping something would get done in Florida. Teammates were evidently thrilled when the news broke Friday night. “I got like three FaceTimes right away from the boys,” Bennett said. “A couple of them were together and they were so fired up. The group chat was going nuts. I’ve said it a million times, this group is so tight. So many guys that really care about each other. I was definitely feeling the love last night.”
Bennett’s Role in the Team
Bennett is critical to the Panthers at both ends. He was one of three players in the NHL this season — Ottawa’s Brady Tkachuk, Matthew Tkachuk’s brother, and Washington’s Tom Wilson were the other two — with at least 50 points and 90 penalty minutes. He said his decision came down to not seeing a need to take risks. He loves playing in Florida, loves being part of the Panthers, loves who he goes to work with every day. More money or a new role wasn’t going to outweigh all of that.
Vision for the Future
“I think we really have the chance to truly make this team a dynasty,” Bennett said. “I’m really just grateful that I get the chance to be a part of it. There are so many pieces in this puzzle that create this team and the success that this team has. And just to be a small piece of that is an honor. Looking forward to growing this legacy for the next eight years, for sure.”
Conclusion
In conclusion, Sam Bennett’s decision to stay with the Florida Panthers is a significant step towards building a dynasty. With his skills and dedication, along with the team’s core players, the Panthers are poised for continued success. Bennett’s choice to prioritize winning over personal gain is a testament to his commitment to the team and his vision for their future.
FAQs
- Q: Why did Sam Bennett choose to stay with the Florida Panthers?
- A: Bennett chose to stay with the Panthers because he believes they have a lot of success in their future and he wants to be part of building a dynasty.
- Q: What is the length and value of Bennett’s new contract?
- A: Bennett signed an eight-year, $64 million deal with the Panthers.
- Q: How do Bennett’s teammates feel about his decision to stay?
- A: Bennett’s teammates are thrilled that he is staying, as evident from their reactions on FaceTime and the group chat.
- Q: What makes Bennett critical to the Panthers?
- A: Bennett is critical to the Panthers at both ends, being one of the few players in the NHL with at least 50 points and 90 penalty minutes in the season.
