The Florida Panthers face critical decisions regarding players set to become unrestricted free agents in the NHL—including Sam Bennett. However, there’s no rush to re-sign anyone just yet, as the only thing on the Cats’ minds is the 2025 Stanley Cup Final. That said, recent reports suggest Bennett may have already made up his mind about his future with Matthew Tkachuk and the rest of the team.
Bennett has been on a tear throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs, currently leading the NHL in goals with 10 tallies. The 28-year-old forward is tied with Tkachuk for second-most points on the Panthers with 16 units, trailing Aleksander Barkov’s 17.
Bennett is perhaps one of the best examples of a playoff performer—capable of elevating his game when space tightens and physicality intensifies. In the hostile environment of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, he thrives, displaying qualities every team in the league would love to call their own.
With his four-year contract coming to an end in Sunrise, all eyes across the NHL are on Sam Bennett ahead of free agency. However, recent reports may shut the door on any hopes of him leaving, as Bennett doesn’t appear eager to change addresses anytime soon—and the Panthers would love to keep him moving forward.
Matthew Tkachuk #19 of the Florida Panthers celebrates with the Stanley Cup following a 2-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game Seven of the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena on June 24, 2024 in Sunrise, Florida.
“I think at the end of the day Sam Bennett is likely to stay with the Panthers,” insider Elliotte Friedman admitted during his radio show on Sportsnet 590.
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Road warriors
The Panthers will be hitting the road to kickstart the Stanley Cup Final series against the Oilers, and although that might seem as a crucial, decisive factor, Bennett and the Cats have been actually better on the road than at home this postseason. Florida has won eight of its ten road games, and lost three of its seven games at Amerant Bank Arena.
“We’re a super-confident team on the road this year,” forward Sam Bennett admitted, per NHL.com. “I think we almost prefer it this year. It’s a little different, less time at home, but we’re up for the challenge. You have no distractions.
Sam Bennett #9 of the Florida Panthers arrives to play against the Carolina Hurricanes in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center on May 22, 2025 in Raleigh, North Carolina.
“You’re just with the team, you’re with your guys, and your whole focus is playing hockey. Sometimes that’s a little nice. Especially this time of year, it gets a little busy down here with all the excitement, all the family and friends want to come out. Sometimes that can be nice.”
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Rematch
The Oilers and Panthers are gearing up to go head-to-head against each other for the second straight season in the Stanley Cup Final. While the Panthers vie to lay the cornerstone of a dynasty in the NHL, the Oilers are hoping to dethrone the reigning champions and hoist their first Cup in 35 years.
“I think from a personnel standpoint, I think there are some new pieces and some key pieces on each team that weren’t there last year,” Tkachuk added. “It is a rematch, and there’s a lot of similar faces, but there’s some fresh blood on both sides that are going to be very hungry and going to be difference-makers in this series.”
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The stage is set: Panthers vs. Oilers, colliding once again for all the marbles. Anything goes when the puck drops at Rogers Place for Game 1—it’s a no-holds-barred showdown in Alberta’s capital.
