Panthers re-sign center Sam Bennett to four-year deal

Center Sam Bennett won't hit restricted free agency Wednesday and won't leave the Florida Panthers this summer. 

Per the NHL's website, the Panthers re-signed Bennett to a four-year contract. While the financial terms of the agreement were not officially disclosed by the club, The Athletic reports the deal is worth $4.4 million annually. 

Bennett joined the Panthers through a trade from the Calgary Flames on April 12. He tallied six goals and nine assists across his 10 regular-season games with Florida following that transaction and notched one goal and four assists in five postseason contests. 

"Sam's impact on our club this past season was seen immediately, injecting physicality, skill and energy into our lineup," Panthers general manager Bill Zito said in the prepared statement. "We are thrilled to have him in our Panthers lineup and look forward to what he can bring to our offense in the upcoming 2021-22 season."

Bennett has accumulated 73 goals and 82 assists in 412 regular-season games.