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Sam Bennett Reportedly No Longer Interested in Signing With One Specific Canadian Team

Originally posted on House of Hockey | By Jack Sutherland | Last updated Jun 7, 2025 5:43 PM ET

Pending UFA Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett is reportedly no longer interested in the potential of signing with a specific Canadian team this summer.

The Florida Panthers are laser-focused on their goal of repeating as Stanley Cup champions in their rematch against the Edmonton Oilers from last year, the 1st time that the same pair of teams has met one another in consecutive years in over 15 years.

One of the major components of the Panthers' lineup is Sam Bennett, who recently became the NHL's all-time leading road goal scorer in a single postseason with 12 goals away from home ice; he also leads all players with 13 goals overall this year in the postseason.

Bennett is also a pending UFA and has been linked to several clubs, including the Toronto Maple Leafs, who could try to make him part of the change in DNA that general manager Brad Treliving said was badly needed for his team after their latest postseason loss at the hands of, ironically, Bennett and the Panthers.

But per a recent report TSN's Darren Dreger, Bennett doesn't have any interest in joining the Leafs.

Bennett drew the ire of Maple Leafs fans in their ECSF matchup when his collision with goaltender Anthony Stolarz (his former Panthers teammate) resulted in his missing the remainder of the series.

Fans were incensed that Bennett wasn't penalized by the NHL Department of Player Safety and believe that the outcome of the series could have been different with a healthy Stolarz.

Bennett also drew controversy when he appeared to elbow Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen in the head during the ECF, and was penalized for goalie interference during their 2OT win over the Oilers in Game 2 of the SCF.

Another member of the Panthers who would represent a dramatic shift in the overall DNA of the Maple Leafs (and who has been linked to potentially being interested in joining Toronto) is Brad Marchand.

This article first appeared on House of Hockey and was syndicated with permission.

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