Insider Drops Disappointing News for NHL Teams Eyeing Panthers' Sam Bennett originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Florida Panthers have taken a 2-1 lead over the Edmonton Oilers in the Stanley Cup Final and are trying to win their second consecutive championship, but it's never too early to start planning what's next.

As Sam Bennett’s playoff lore continues to grow with each playoff goal scored, his pending free agency only grows more fascinating. On the one hand, you have a soon-to-be 29-year-old second-line center — a decent one that plays with an edge and has scored at a 53-point pace since joining the Florida Panthers.

Maurice did so in jest in an amusing in-game interview with TNT Sports's Jackie Redmond during the second period of the Panthers' 6-1 Stanley Cup Final Game 3 victory on Monday night. Here's the funny moment.

Once Atlantic Division rivals, the pair of forwards are making NHL history with fantastic play through the first three games of the final.

It seems like every breath Sam Bennett takes earns him another dollar right now. The Florida Panthers center, 28, is competing in his third consecutive Stanley Cup Final, this time doing so as a pending unrestricted free agent,

Of course. Last night, Sam Bennett was once again the best player on the ice in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final. July 1st is approaching, so here are seven potential destinations for the best player of the 2025 NHL playoffs.

Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid celebrates after a goal during a 2025 Stanley Cup playoff game. Bennett scored a power-play goal early in Game 2 but grabbed headlines because of an interference penalty following a collision with Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner.

Following Game 2, Panthers' Sam Bennett made some comments about how he will be parked in front of Stuart Skinner going forward, which is adding to the drama.

Our Sam Bennett picks expect the Panthers' center to get plenty of pucks on net vs. the Oilers in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final.

Sam Bennett has been the best goal scorer of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, and, with the Florida Panthers coming off a dominant performance in Game 3, has suddenly become the leading Conn Smythe Trophy contender as most valuable player of the postseason.