Sam Bennett Scratches Several Contending Teams Off List of Free Agency Options

In recent years, Canadian teams have struggled to land big name free agents, with Brock Boeser, Mitch Marner, Nikolaj Ehlers and Claude Giroux just some of the names that could potentially be on the move from Canadian teams in free agency this off-season.

As for Bennett, it's unclear at this point in time whether it's the taxes, the weather or the media that will drive him away from potentially signing in Edmonton, Toronto, Montreal or any of the other Canadian markets, but all of those have reportedly factored in to many decisions for players to stay away in recent times.

The play on the ice has been fantastic for Bennett in the Panthers Stanley Cup runs, and while it's not 100% that he leaves Florida at this point, if he does indeed hit the free agency market, it's more likely than not to be the outcome.

On top of all of this, Bennett played seven years in Canada with the Calgary Flames, whose coaching staff didn't give him the right opportunities to thrive, and now, coming off a career high 51 point season combined with his physical play, he'll definitely be a highly sought after free agent.

With Mikko Rantanen off the market, it's Mitch Marner, Sam Bennett and a few other top names that will command the interest and the money, and with so many teams looking for an impact forward, expect Bennett to draw attention, but for now, all we know is that he won't be heading to Canada.