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.

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

At just about three weeks away from the start of free agency on July 1st, Toronto's Mitch Marner continues to be linked to just about every conceivable team in North America. And why not? The 28-year-old is coming off a 102-point season and has 63 career playoff points in 70 games played.

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.

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.

Sam Bennett is one of the best stories of the season in the NHL. The No. 4 overall pick in 2014, Bennett flamed out in Calgary. The Flames dealt him to Florida ahead of the 2021 trade deadline, and he's been a different player ever since.

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.

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.

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,

Sam Bennett could make NHL history if he wins the Conn Smythe Trophy and leaves the Panthers after the Stanley Cup Final.

Tongue planted firmly in cheek, Florida Panthers coach Paul Maurice provided quite the negative intel on pending unrestricted free agent