Sam Bennett offends top suitors amid free agency sweepstakes

Florida Panthers star forward Sam Bennett is one of the most coveted players set to enter free agency on July 1 and there are ongoing rumours that his time in Miami may be coming to an end. Suitors are obviously excited about that possibility.

However earlier this week, insider Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reported that the Panthers have re-opened contract negotiations with Bennett.

“Sam Bennett, as it stands right now, would be one of the biggest free agents available on July 1 if he gets there,” Friedman said. “I don’t want to handicap it … talks have resumed between Bennett and the Panthers.”

That might be a good thing for Bennett, who has reportedly upset seven teams in the NHL, claiming he does not want to play for them. And surprisingly enough, the Canadian player allegedly has no interest in playing in his own country.

Per NHL insider Andy Strickland on the Cam and Stick podcast on Tuesday:

“Sam Bennett will not sign with a Canadian team.”

Strickland’s report responds to this weekend’s rumours from TNT’s Paul Bissonnette, who linked the Panthers forward to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

“There’s also rumblings out there that Toronto is very interested in Sam Bennett,” Bissonnette said. “I would see if Florida is able to maybe lock him in before the end of the season, but that’s a rumor mill. Let’s not even go down that road.”

Since joining the Panthers in a 2021 trade from the Calgary Flames, Bennett has become a critical piece of their success including the Stanley Cup championship Florida won this past summer.

Bennett, who is currently in the final season of his four-year, $17.7 million contract, which carries a $4.425 million cap hit, has recorded 92 goals and 98 assists for 190 points over 278 games with the Cats. He has added 37 points (14 goals, 23 assists) through 54 postseason games spread over four seasons with Florida.

“Again, I don’t want to handicap it,” Friedman added. “I don’t want to say one way or the other, but they are trying, and it’s been a very good marriage between player and team.”

This season, Bennett has put up 22 goals and notched 45 points through 66 games, leading the Panthers to 85 points and their current position atop the Atlantic Division.