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Top NHL Insider Drops Unexpected Update on Sam Bennett: Re-Signing in Florida is Far From a Given

Originally posted on House of Hockey | By Tom Banks | Last updated Jun 16, 2025 9:38 AM ET

Sam Bennett's future appears to be in Florida with the Panthers, but according to a recent report, it doesn't yet appear to be a guarantee.

The Florida Panthers are now just one win away from their second straight Stanley Cup, and throughout their recent success, forward Sam Bennett has been just as integral as any other player in the organization.

With his pending free agency, the belief around the NHL is that he will return to the team on a good deal, one that benefits both the team and the player, but that may not be set in stone just yet.

According to insider Cam Robinson, what many saw as a foregone conclusion may not quite be that just yet, as the two sides have reportedly not talked about an extension for weeks, and with teams potentially ready to offer him upwards of $10 million a season, he could be tempted to the open market.

While this simply may be down to the fact that both parties are focused on their intense series with the Edmonton Oilers, Bennett's agent could have no doubt got a deal done if they were as motivated to make it happen as many believe they were.

What may be happening as well is that Bennett is playing himself into a much bigger deal, as he has tallied 15 goals and 22 points in the Stanley Cup Playoffs thus far, and with many teams out there needing that star power when it matters most, he could still become a free agent.

Despite this report, Bennett loves it in Florida, so the likelihood of him leaving is certainly low, but from Robinson's comments, an extension in Florida is still the most likely outcome.

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

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