Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett is completing a four-year, $17.7-million contract. Eligible for UFA status [https://puckpedia.com/player/sam-bennett] on July 1, the 28-year-old couldn't have picked a better time for a career season. Bennett is coming off a career-best 51-point regular season. The versatile, agitating two-way center is also burnishing his reputation as a clutch post-season performer. He's tied with Mikko Rantanen for the lead among playoff goal-scorers with nine, putting himself among the favorites for the Conn Smythe Trophy. Panthers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers] management reportedly reopened contract extension talks [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/nhl-rumor-roundup-latest-on-sam-bennetts-future-and-devils] with Bennett in March. He could be receptive to staying put, but could seek to double his current $4.425 million average annual value on his next contract. That could make him too expensive for the Panthers to retain. Sam Bennett (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/9e729d88-303d-4f17-b325-98a51140a049.jpeg] Sam Bennett (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images) Bennett would be the best center available if he tests the UFA market, where several clubs will bid for his services. The Toronto Maple Leafs [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs] might be among his suitors. Michael Traikos recently observed [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/whatever-the-maple-leafs-were-going-to-pay-mitch-marner-give-it-all-to-sam-bennett] that the Leafs will have over $22 million in cap space if they don't re-sign pending UFA forwards Mitch Marner and John Tavares. He recommends they use that cap space to pursue Bennett if he goes to market on July 1, a sentiment shared by Steve Simmons [https://torontosun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/cant-afford-bring-back-marner-tavares-isnt-about-money] of the Toronto Sun. Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic believes [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6368418/2025/05/21/blues-free-agency-trades-offer-sheets-mailbag/] Bennett would be the best UFA option for the St. Louis Blues to address their need for a second-line center. However, the cap-strapped Blues [https://puckpedia.com/team/st-louis-blues] might have to free up some salary, perhaps by placing defenseman Torey Krug on LTIR if his playing days are over [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/st-louis-blues/latest-news/krugs-career-likely-over-in-nhl]. Rutherford's colleague Kevin Kurz suggested [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6376281/2025/05/23/flyers-free-agency-marner-bennett/?source=emp_shared_article] Bennett would make a good free-agent target for the rebuilding Philadelphia Flyers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers]. Bolstering their depth at center is a priority this summer, which could lead them to free agency if suitable options aren't available in the trade market. With $26.7 million in projected cap room for 2025-26 [https://puckpedia.com/team/philadelphia-flyers], they can afford Bennett if he's available on July 1. Bennett could also be on the Montreal Canadiens [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens]' radar. Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette recently included [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/nhl-rumor-roundup-who-could-the-canadiens-target-as-their-second-line-center] the Panthers' star among several UFA options to address the Canadiens' need for a second-line center. Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen] and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here [http://eepurl.com/i7OC4I]. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.
