Sam Bennett: Winner of the 2025 Conn Smythe Trophy (Via Getty Images) Sam Bennett has established himself as one of the NHL’s most valuable playoff performers since joining the Florida Panthers in 2021. The rugged center’s combination of skill and physicality has translated into championship success and significant financial security throughout his professional career.His transformation from a struggling prospect in Calgary to a two-time Stanley Cup champion in Florida represents one of hockey’s best redemption stories. But Bennett didn’t just stop with his NHL legacy, as off the ice, Bennett has made quite a name for himself for his financial savviness.
What is Sam Bennett’s Net Worth?
Sam Bennett’s CONN SMYTHE-winning 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs
Most experts believe that the Panthers forward’s net worth lies somewhere in the $30 million to $35 million range as of this year. A big part of that has been the $29.4 million he has made through his NHL earnings over the years, according to HockeyZonePlus.With his massive new contract just beginning, his projected career earnings will reach $93.475 million by the time his current deal expires in 2033. This is a long way from the entry-level contract that the Flames offered him back in 2014 after getting picked #4 overall in the NHL Draft.
Career earnings and contract history
Bennett signed an eight-year, $64 million contract extension with Florida in June 2025, just hours before the NHL Draft. The deal carries an annual cap hit of $8 million and includes $56 million in signing bonuses out of the total $64 million guaranteed.For the 2025-26 season, Bennett earns a base salary of $1 million plus a $9.2 million signing bonus. The contract includes a no-movement clause through June 30, 2030, followed by modified no-trade clauses for the final three seasons.The extension came after Bennett hit free agency following his previous four-year, $17.7 million deal that carried just a $4.425 million annual cap hit. That team-friendly contract proved to be one of the Panthers’ best bargains as Bennett delivered back-to-back championships.While the $8 million was a massive raise from his previous cap hit, for the Panthers, it was worth every penny. Not to mention, due to him being based in Florida and the state being a tax haven free from income tax, Bennett can keep an even larger chunk of his NHL earnings to himself.It has also helped him keep off the market for other interested parties since their home cities won’t be offering the center the same tax benefits as South Florida.
Investments and endorsement deals
While some of his contemporaries, like Connor McDavid, have become household names, Bennett has maintained a rather low profile. The same has also been true when it comes to the business and endorsement front. The center hasn’t made many disclosures on its business decisions for now.For him, the ultimate prize remains hockey, and he hasn’t paid much heed to other investments other than maximizing his on-ice earnings. While some believe that just like other sports stars, he must have his share of investments, for now, there is no public knowledge of the following.
What are Sam Bennett’s biggest career achievements
Bennett’s crowning accomplishment came on June 17, 2025, when he won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. He became the first player in Panthers history to win the award after leading Florida to its second consecutive Stanley Cup championship.The 29-year-old paced the NHL playoffs with 15 goals in 23 games, including five in the Cup Final against Edmonton. He also set an NHL record with 13 road goals during the postseason, breaking a mark that had stood for decades.Bennett narrowly edged teammate Brad Marchand for the Conn Smythe in voting by the Professional Hockey Writers Association. He received 11 of 18 first-place votes to prevail 76-68 in total points.His playoff performance joined elite company. Only Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Joe Sakic, and Sidney Crosby had previously scored at least 15 goals in a single postseason. Bennett’s combination of offensive production and physical play made him nearly impossible to contain during Florida’s championship run.Bennett won his first Stanley Cup in 2024 when Florida defeated Edmonton in seven games. He contributed 14 points in 19 playoff games during that championship run while establishing himself as a crucial piece of the Panthers’ success.But it was last season that Bennett really pushed his game to the peak. The center led the Panthers’ charge as they competed to defend their Stanley Cup. In the process, Bennett remained Florida’s highest goalscorer in the 2025 playoffs with 15 goals.Not to mention, with 22 points, he held the joint second spot for most points in the playoffs alongside captain Aleksander Barkov. His ability to hit clutch in the most desperate scenarios and in the most hostile crowds has elevated him in the Panthers locker room.But that’s not all, as Bennett also holds the record of being the only player in franchise history to have double-digit goals and 100-plus hits in a single postseason.