Sam Bennett’s Free Agency Down to Two: Panthers or Maple Leafs?
As the NHL free agency window approaches, one name is already narrowing the field before the race even begins. According to veteran hockey insider John Shannon, Sam Bennett is not planning to explore the open market like most of his peers. Instead, he’s reportedly focusing on just two destinations: the Florida Panthers and the Toronto Maple Leafs.
This revelation, made on the Sekeres & Price Show, effectively removes Bennett from the broader sweepstakes and sets the stage for a two-team battle between two Eastern Conference powerhouses—each with compelling reasons to bring him on board.
“Don’t waste your time,” Shannon said. “He’s going to play in one of two places: either Toronto or Sunrise, Florida. That’s it. That’s his decision. He’s not going to market the way other free agents do.”
Why This Matters
Sam Bennett is not your typical middle-six forward. He’s built for playoff hockey—tenacious, physical, and not afraid to mix it up. That blend of grit and offensive upside has made him a valuable piece of the Panthers’ success, especially in recent postseason runs. And while Florida would love to keep the 27-year-old center in their lineup, Toronto has long been searching for players of Bennett’s playoff pedigree.
By restricting his options to just Florida and Toronto, Bennett is exerting unusual leverage—an uncommon move that significantly simplifies his free agency process but raises the stakes for both interested teams.
Florida: Familiarity and Fit
The Panthers represent comfort and continuity. Since arriving in Florida via trade from Calgary in 2021, Bennett has found his stride. Playing in a system that suits his aggressive forechecking and opportunistic scoring, he’s become an integral piece of the team’s playoff puzzle. Re-signing in Florida would mean maintaining chemistry, role stability, and perhaps most importantly, a shot at continued contention with a core that knows how to win.
Toronto: Grit and Homecoming
The Maple Leafs, on the other hand, offer a different kind of appeal. For a franchise that has been criticized for lacking playoff toughness, Bennett checks a lot of boxes. His physical style, postseason experience, and ability to elevate his game in crunch time could make him a perfect fit in Toronto’s top-nine forward group. There’s also the allure of coming home—Bennett was born just outside of Toronto in Holland Landing, Ontario, and playing in front of family and friends in a hockey-mad market could be a powerful draw.
Ripple Effects on Free Agency
Bennett’s early decision to focus on just two teams may inspire other pending free agents to take control of their narrative. In a market that’s often chaotic and unpredictable, Bennett’s clarity creates leverage. It also puts pressure on Florida and Toronto to act swiftly, knowing that there’s no third option waiting in the wings.
For the Panthers, the priority will be maintaining the momentum of their contending roster. For the Maple Leafs, the opportunity to finally land a proven playoff warrior could be too good to pass up.
The Countdown Begins
While no official decision has been made, all eyes will be on Bennett as free agency opens. Whether he returns to familiar ground in Florida or opts for a homecoming in Toronto, his choice will reverberate through the NHL landscape—and potentially swing the fortunes of whichever franchise lands him.
One thing is clear: Sam Bennett won’t be a free agent for long. TT myqyirqiudg7ggg8ggira
