For the primary time in franchise historical past, the Florida Panthers enter a season as Stanley Cup champions after defeating the Edmonton Oilers in seven video games within the Stanley Cup Ultimate. They may look to go back-to-back and rejoice a title yet again. In the event that they do, it’ll be the primary staff to perform the feat for the reason that Tampa Bay Lightning in 2020 and 2021.
This offseason, the staff prolonged two of their forwards, together with heart Anton Lundell, who’s come into his personal since being drafted in 2020. With this deal, it’s clear they need him up within the high 6.
Lundell’s Newest Extension
This summer season, mere days after successful the Stanley Cup, basic supervisor Invoice Zito and Lundell agreed to an extension value $5 million per season for the subsequent six years.
“Anton has matured right into a reliable multirole heart for our membership, who seized his alternative from his first day in North America,” mentioned Zito. “His dedication to enchancment and cerebral strategy to the sport earned him the profound respect of his teammates and coaches, and we’re excited to see him proceed to develop and succeed with the Panthers.”
Invoice Zito on Anton Lundell
Lundell was chosen twelfth total in 2020. He was Zito’s first draft choice as a basic supervisor, and it appears to be like like he hit a house run. Therefore, they agreed to maintain him with the group long-term.
Lundell Has Been a Phenom within the Playoffs
Lundell has put up nice common season numbers over his profession with 112 factors (43 objectives, 69 assists) by way of 216 regular-season video games. He’s additionally been a incredible playoff performer.
In his profession, he’s scored six objectives and 22 assists by way of 54 playoff appearances. Within the 2024 Playoffs, he scored three objectives and 14 assists by way of 24 video games on his approach to a Stanley Cup. He additionally has been given penalty kill tasks since arriving and has flourished in that function. The staff is getting this for six extra seasons.
Sam Bennett Is a Free Agent Subsequent 12 months
Sam Bennett has been with the Panthers since being traded from the Calgary Flames in 2021 and has been a staple because the second-line heart each within the common season and playoffs. He’s proven how a lot he loves the playoff environment with 14 playoff objectives and 23 playoff assists. Moreover, he has 145 regular-season factors (70 objectives, 75 assists) in his time as a Panther. He enters this season on the ultimate 12 months of a four-year, $4.425 million per 12 months deal. There have but to be any stories of a potential extension.
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The current deal given to Lundell can practically affirm that the staff plans to maneuver on from Bennett. Given how younger he’s and the way excessive he was drafted, administration will need Lundell to have an expanded function in some unspecified time in the future in his profession.
How Quickly Will Bennett Be Moved?
How quickly the transfer happens in the end is dependent upon how quickly head coach Paul Maurice needs to shake up the lineup. Within the case of an sudden damage to the highest six, there could also be some prolonged time for Lundell to check his expertise in the next function.
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However the floor is laid out for him to get an opportunity. If Bennett doesn’t comply with a brand new contract, Lundell will slot in because the second-line heart. He was drafted this excessive in 2020 for a motive. His probability to tackle an enormous function is coming a lot prior to later.
