Florida Panthers hold a full team practice at the Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale on Feb. 12. One of the big keys to the success of the Florida Panthers lies in the team's depth. Looking back at last season's incredible playoff run, Florida's depth, particularly on forward lines, allowed the Panthers to continuously come at their opponents with wave after wave of an aggressive, relentless and fast game that is extremely difficult to combat. It's also key for Florida to be working as a five-man unit on the ice, allowing them to bear down on their opponent without allowing any opportunities to quickly form going the other way. The exciting and foreboding brand of hockey has worked well for the Panthers, and it fits perfectly with the style of one of the team's key forwards. Quick as hell, extremely skilled and tough as nails? Yes, we're talking about Sam Bennett. "He is capable of a couple of things," Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice said of Bennett. "He's capable of some really fine play at speed, then he's capable of the hit on players. The very clean hit, but he can change a series with a hit. He's very physical and then very skilled. He has a really great balance of the two." Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNjE3OTM2NjIzMjQ4NDky/img_6014.jpg] Still only 27 years old, Bennett's value to the Panthers may sometimes get overlooked. You'll hear names like Barkov and Tkachuk and Reinhart and Verhaeghe before someone mentions the glue that holds much of the top six together. At even strength, Florida's second line that has featured Bennett centering Tkachuk and mostly Verhaeghe (recently Nick Cousins has moved back to that line), has been an impressive combination of controlling and consistent. There is an argument to be made that the Maurice's systems are a perfect fit for Bennett. When asked about it, the former fourth overall draft selection is quick to give credit to his teammates for learning the x's and o's and then putting in the effort to make it all work on the ice. "I think our team has just adjusted well to the systems that we play," Bennett said. "You just kind of get used to playing the right way, every game, whether you're getting the offense or not. You just got to keep playing that same style of hockey and it's been working for us so far." It certainly works for Bennett. His high end combination of talent and toughness allows him to wear multiple hats for the Panthers. Need someone to make a toe drag move across the blue line to spring one of his elite, goal-scoring wingers, or bury a one-timer from the slot just over the goalie's glove? No problem. What about when an opposing player steps out of line and someone needs to step up and make a statement that those things are not acceptable against the Panthers? Just ask Max Domi. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpsKSsdwnnc[/embed] As the Panthers continue working toward trying to finish what they started last June, having Bennett down the middle, driving the bus, will be a key to the team's ultimate success. The young, talented center does everything that Maurice asks of him, and he does it to perfection while wearing a smile on his mustached face. "He speeds the game up, he gets in the holes," Maurice said. "He'll try to beat you off the rush through the middle of the ice, and that danger, that threat, pulls people to him, and that opens things up to guys with the hands on the flanks." LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA What makes playing Paul Maurice's systems so difficult? Several Panthers players explain [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/features/what-makes-playing-paul-maurices-systems-so-difficult-several-panthers-players-explain] Sergei Bobrovsky stays hot, named NHL's Second Star of the Week [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/sergei-bobrovsky-stays-hot-named-nhls-second-star-of-the-week] Getting healthier, Aleksander Barkov looking more like his usual, dominant self [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/features/getting-healthier-aleksander-barkov-looking-more-like-his-usual-dominant-self] Paul Maurice wins 850th NHL game, claiming fifth place on all-time list [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/paul-maurice-wins-850th-nhl-game-claiming-fifth-place-on-all-time-list] Three takeaways: Tkachuk, Bobrovsky spark Panthers 4-0 win over Colorado [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/features/three-takeaways-tkachuk-bobrovsky-spark-panthers-4-0-win-over-colorado] Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAxNjQxMjA5NjI4NzMxMDIz/unnamed.jpg]
