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Elliotte Friedman Reveals Sudden Update in Sam Bennett's Contract Talks Before Game 2 vs Leafs

Originally posted on Blade of Steel | By Julien Trekker | Last updated May 7, 2025 12:53 PM ET

Elliotte Friedman revealed a sudden update in Sam Bennett's contract talks with the Florida Panthers before the second game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Even if he brings a controversial style of play on the ice, Sam Bennett has been playing an important role in the Panthers' top six for the past five seasons, especially in the playoffs. So far, in 60 playoff games with Florida, the forward has scored 43 points, including 18 goals.

This year, Bennett has brought his usual style. At the moment, he has six points in six games, against the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Toronto Maple Leafs, and keeps playing aggressively.

In the first game against the Leafs, Bennett was widely criticized for an elbow hit on Toronto's goaltender and former Panther Anthony Stolarz.

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Bennett is a crucial player for the Panthers, and with his contract expiring at the end of the season, the organization will do all it can to make sure he remains in Florida.

The insider Elliotte Friedman talked about Bennett's situation in the latest 32 Thoughts episode, saying he always thought the player would remain with the Panthers:

'All of this noise is the best advertisement for Sam Bennett to stay in Florida than anything else that could have happened.'
'I always believed that most likely he stays on the team.'

"Paul Maurice and Bill Zito were going up to him and saying, 'Really, you wanna leave where we are? To go play somewhere like this, where all this noise is going to come every time you do something? You don't wanna leave Florida.''

'This is the best thing that could have happened to the Panthers, wanting to keep Bennett. He's a difference-maker, he's a great player, he was on Canada's 4 Nations team for a reason.'

Bennett's contractual situation will be monitored closely as we get closer to free agency. If the Panthers don't sign him before July 1st, don't be surprised to see other teams making him offers.

He will be back on the ice with the Panthers tonight, for the second game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

This article first appeared on Blade of Steel and was syndicated with permission.

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