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.

I love the team, the staff, the owners, just everything about it is really a dream situation. So I couldn’t pass up the chance to be back here for another eight years.’

The Panthers and Conn Smythe Trophy winner Sam Bennett agreed on an eight-year, $64 million contract that will keep Bennett in Florida.