Kevin Bieksa Sounds Off, Sending a Clear Warning to the Florida Panthers on Sam Bennett

While his sole focus right now is leading the team to back-to-back Stanley Cups, Bennett is also a free agent in the summer, and with this performance, it's safe to say that teams will be eager to put offers in on the star forward.

We've already heard that some teams out there are willing to pay him upwards of $10 million annually on a long-term deal, and while he's earned a pay rise from his current annual salary of $4.425 million, Kevin Bieksa has warned against teams looking to go $10 million on a new deal.

Unsurprisingly, Bieksa had nothing but good things to say about Bennett, who has a combined 49 points over the last three Stanley Cup Playoffs runs for the Panthers, but with his regular season production thus far topping out at 50 points, it's easy to see why the former NHLer is cautious about a new deal for Bennett.

Ultimately, all signs are pointing towards the veteran forward returning to Florida in free agency, and given the advantage of no state tax in Florida, he could take a cheaper deal than in Toronto or elsewhere and get a similar value, and with the team in the midst of their third straight Finals run, don't be surprised if he gives them a free agency discount and returns as they look to go for four straight Cup Finals appearances.