Matthew Tkachuk and the Florida Panthers can only focus in the 2025 Stanley Cup Final as they battle the Edmonton Oilers for the ultimate trophy in the NHL. However, Brad Marchand and Sam Bennett have stolen the spotlight, as their recent performances have only raised their value ahead of free agency. Still, an insider believes there is another upcoming UFA who could move out of Sunrise.
The Panthers have built a powerhouse in the NHL, reaching three straight Stanley Cup Finals. However—as the salary cap is quick to remind every team—winning comes at a price. Florida isn’t immune to this hard truth, though many fans in Canada might be quick to point out that the team benefits from playing in a state with no income tax.
In addition to the stress of the Stanley Cup Final, Tkachuk’s Panthers are also dealing with the noise surrounding Marchand and Bennett. They will gladly celebrate every goal the two star forwards score in the Final, though it means the price keeps going up for their momentum-swinging forwards.
However, an NHL insider left the door open for Tkachuk and the Panthers to lose another key teammate. “I think Aaron Ekblad will head to free agency this summer,” insider Greg Wyshynski stated during an appearance on The Sheet with Jeff Marek podcast.
Expected to stay
There is much uncertainty floating around the Panthers and their stars, whose contracts will expire on July 1st. It seems it can all change in the blink of an eye, with Marchand, Bennett, and Ekblad’s future all up in the air.
However, a recent report around the league states Bennett is expected to re-sign with Florida. There will be no shortage of suitors for the leading goal-scorer in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. But it seems there is nowhere else where the former fourth overall pick in 2014 would rather be.
“Nobody around the league expects Sam Bennett to reach free agency,” according to The Athletic’s insider James Mirtle. “He wants to stay and the Panthers want to keep him.”
Maurice vies to steer teams away
Every franchise around the NHL has taken notice of Bennett’s monstrous run in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Though his antics may raise eyebrows, there isn’t one single team that wouldn’t love to have him in its ranks. Paul Maurice is well aware of it, and he used his platform during a mid-game interview to hopefully decrease Bennett’s stock.
SURVEY Who should the Panthers prioritize?
Who should the Panthers prioritize?
already voted 27 fans
“[Bennett’s] got a horrible attitude,” Panthers coach Paul Maurice sarcastically told TNT during an interview in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final. “I think he’s got the bubonic plague, Dengue fever, he’s got a whole bunch of things. I don’t think he can be cured.”