Sam Bennett ‘doubtful’ for season opener with lower-body injury

Bennett suffered the injury during Thursday’s preseason game in Tampa

The Florida Panthers may have to start the season without one of the team’s top centers.

Sam Bennett left Florida’s penultimate preseason game on Thursday night in Tampa Bay about midway through the second period.

Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice said Friday after the team practiced in Coral Springs that Bennett would be evaluated that afternoon.

That brings us to Saturday morning, where Bennett was spotted at Amerant Bank Arena wearing a walking boot on his left foot/leg.

The Panthers open the regular season on Thursday night in Minnesota, and Bennett is now considered “doubtful” to play.

“I’m going to list him as longer than day-to-day,” Maurice said.

This is unfortunate for several reasons as Bennett is a key contributor for Florida that drives their second line and creates havoc down low on their number two power play unit.

He’s also looked great from the first day of training camp and was poised to hit the ground running when the new season began.

Maurice will now likely ask ascending forward Eetu Luostarinen to slide back to center, his natural position, after moving him to wing last season due to the Panthers depth down the middle.

That depth will now come in handy as Maurice added that Bennett’s lower-body injury could end up keeping him out for a couple weeks.

Florida wraps up their preseason slate Saturday night against Tampa Bay.