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Sam Bennett Names His One Preferred Destination Following Stanley Cup Run

Originally posted on Blade of Steel | By Tom Banks | Last updated Jun 2, 2025 9:00 AM ET

Sam Bennett's free agency will be a huge story this off-season after another Florida Panthers Stanley Cup run, and now we know his preferred destination.

NHL free agency is set to be a free for all in the summer of 2025, and while most eyes will be on Toronto Maple Leafs superstar Mitch Marner, there's some other very intriguing names available.

One of those will be Panthers veteran Sam Bennett, and while his focus right now is entirely on Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals on Wednesday, it's safe to say that free agency decisions could be weighing on him as well.

After reports that he'd narrowed down his choices to re-signing in Florida and moving to his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs, now, it's been update by David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, who makes it clear that Bennett's preference is to stay in Florida.

In five seasons since arriving in Florida from Calgary, Bennett has taken his game to another level, posting career high's of 49 and 51 points over the last four seasons as he becomes a key part of this team.

In the post-season, he's been incredibly invaluable, especially given his annual value of $4.425 million, but now, if the team want to keep him and continue their dominance in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, they're going to have to pay up.

Some rumours have estimated that Bennett could get near $10 million a season on his free agency deal, and at 28-years of age he's still got plenty of time ahead of him in the NHL, but for now, it appears as though his return to Florida is the most probable outcome, no matter the result of the Stanley Cup Finals.

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

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