Although the organization’s main sights are on winning its second Stanley Cup championship in as many years, the Florida Panthers have a few key pending unrestricted free agents to worry about. In an interview on NHL Network, David Pagnotta believes negotiations are going much better with one than they are with the other.
A few days ago, James Mirtle of The Athletic reported that virtually no teams are expecting Sam Bennett to reach free agency, and Pagnotta believes that’s the case. In the interview, Pagnotta shared that Bennett and the Panthers are negotiating a new deal that would pay him approximately $64MM over eight years. 
Bennett’s value largely comes from his postseason performances and the intangibles. AFP Analytics projected Bennett’s next deal around the six-year, $40MM range, which is reasonable given he’s only scored more than 50 points in one season. Still, he’s an extremely physical forward, has responded well to Florida’s possession-heavy scheme, and has a unique ability to get under the skin of opponents.
He’s been an instrumental part of the Panthers’ run to three consecutive Stanley Cup Finals. Since the start of the 2022-23 postseason, Bennett has scored 26 goals and 50 points in 60 games, and is leading this year’s playoffs in goals. Outside of putting pucks in the net, Bennett has made headlines this postseason for his extracurricular activity, particularly his somewhat egregious physicality toward opposing teams’ netminders.
Unfortunately, negotiations aren’t going as smoothly with defenseman Aaron Ekblad, according to Pagnotta. Despite Ekblad’s public desire to remain with the only organization he’s known, Ekblad and his representation are asking for a similar or increased salary on his current $7.5MM AAV, but the Panthers only feel comfortable paying him in the $6MM range.
In Florida’s defense, Ekblad has had significant injury issues throughout his entire career, only playing in a full campaign in three seasons out of his 11-year career. Still, offering him a 20% pay decrease as the salary cap rises projects as an unbridgeable gap.
Ekblad is only a few weeks away from reaching unrestricted free agency for the first time in his career, and he could become more amenable to a lower salary if his comfortability in Florida outweighs his salary demands. Still, as a capable top-four right-handed defenseman, Ekblad should be able to match or increase his salary on the open market.
So Florida is considering to pay Sam Bennett a whopping $8M AAV now over the next 8 years…that’s a contract that’s going to age poorly within a few years lol. Bennett’s physical (& POS lowball) play is going to age him way before his contract hits the halfway mark. He’s going to be dead weight sooner rather than later in his career. Florida is strapping themselves (not that I care). This contract will do more harm then good for them in the long run.
I’m bit surprised that Aaron Ekblad’s situation is the problem between the 2 players because many felt Bennett would have been. Truth be told, them getting Seth Jones was the writing on the wall for Ekblad’s time in Florida. I guess the drug riddled & headhunting Ekblad will have to go elsewhere.
Sez a very biased Bolt fanatic about a couple of Bolt killers. Carry on, LOL
Not biased, just a realist. What I said about both players is true whether you like it or not. Granted, I know Florida fans are arrogantly ignorant. Bolt killers? LOL! They’re both cheap shot, dirty players who intentionally try to injure the opponent as they can’t win otherwise. This site is so loaded with Florida bandwagon fans it’s pathetic. Anyway, Florida just had the worst comeback Stanley Cup loss in a game since 1919. Yeah, real killers (eyes roll).
Players on all playoff teams are consistently trying to injure opposing players. It’s been going on for decades.
he’s 28 and the cap is going up. actually seems like a pretty fair deal.
plus if he’s getting 8×8 from fla, he’s likely getting more than 8 per over 7 from elsewhere if he goes to market. earlier this week on TSN radio they speculated he would get 9 per and could even push 10 if a team was desperate enough
@Sparky – Playoff teams try to hurt the opponent not try to intentionally injure them & ruin careers. There is a big difference. Florida doesn’t just do it in the playoffs but in the regular season as well. I’m far from the only person pointing out Florida’s dirty & underhanded tactics which is a laundry list. NHL fans of all kinds are complaining about them & the NHL keeps letting them get away with it. It’s ridiculous.
@MoneyBall – I’m not saying Bennett wasn’t going to get big money as that was expected as he was projected for around $9M in the open market. But the reality is, it’s overpay for a player who’s style of play will age poorly. It seems “fair” at the moment but in a few years, it’s going to be bad deal for any team that signs Bennett at a high price.
“(not that I care)”
Funny because you seem like the only one on here that disseminates the same old tired drivel day after day. I think you should worry about you tired old pathetic soft team. Bitterness towards the Panthers because they have now ended your teams season for the past two years is pathetic.
Sez a very biased and bitter Bolt fanatic about a couple of Bolt killers. Pretty pathetic if you ask me
Your team has been idle for the last six weeks
Fans always whine when a physical guy isn’t on their team.
How many players have elbowed a goalie in the head and tried to break a goalie’s leg during these playoffs? Sam Bennett has. He’s above and beyond. He ended the Leafs’ season with that elbow.
If only Benny had put that shot in OT an inch higher. Sigh. :(
Nah.
Nah it was perfect how it went with them losing haha
Florida scored that third goal and decided they’d already won the Cup.
For any other team last night would have a devastating and potentially back breaking game to lose. This team responds better than any team in recent memory. On to game 5
6m for Ekbald is lowball.
not sure it is. he hasn’t played a full season in 6 years and has only one over over 60 in the last 5.
think he could maybe get slightly more on the market but I’d guess that would be on a fairly short term deal. if they are offering say 5*$6 I’d run to the bank if I was AE
Ekblad will get big money offers, probably the top FA defenseman available. Panthers also need to re-sign Schmidt. Wings really need a veteran defenseman, they should go after Ekblad.
Not unless Detroit has some untraceable PED Meds!
Florida let Edmonton off the mat last night, The series should be all but over, But that’s why they play the games.