The reigning Conn Smythe Trophy winner signed an eight-year, $64 million contract with the Panthers, the team announced on Friday.
The new deal marks a significant raise for Bennett, who just completed a four-year agreement that paid him $4.425 per season.
Bennett hinted an extension was in the works as he appeared at a Miami nightclub this past Thursday night and told the crowd, in his best impression of Leonardo DiCaprio as Jordan Belfort, “I ain’t (expletive) leaving,” as a graphic that read “8 more years” appeared on the screen behind him.
The 29-year-old is coming off a career year with the Florida Panthershaving tallied a personal-high 51 points (25 goals, 26 assists) in 76 regular-season games.
Bennett has become more known for his big-game performances after three straight trips to the Stanley Cup Final and two championships.
Bennett earned playoff MVP honours after leading the league with 15 goals during the post-season and adding seven assists for 22 points. He also played a crucial role for Team Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off, scoring the game-tying goal in the gold-medal contest against the U.S.
After being drafted fourth overall in 2014 by the Calgary Flames, Bennett struggled over parts of seven seasons in Alberta.
He was dealt to the Panthers in April 2021 in exchange for a second-round pick and defenceman Emil Heineman, and immediately found comfort in South Florida, where each of his four highest scoring seasons have taken place.
Over 691 career games with the Flames and Panthers, Bennett has 162 goals, 174 assists and 670 penalty minutes.
