Insider: Sam Bennett Has Made a Decision on Joining the Maple Leafs if He Hits Free Agency
Photo credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Sam Bennett just won the Conn Smythe trophy with the Florida Panthers and has reportedly made a decision on whether or not to join the Toronto Maple Leafs in July.
There was no more impactful player during the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs than Sam Bennett. The Panthers' pending unrestricted free agent scored 15 goals and won the Conn Smythe trophy as the MVP of the playoffs.
The Maple Leafs and GM Brad Treliving have been closely linked to Bennett as one of the front-runners to land him if he leaves Florida.
Sam Bennett not interested in joining Toronto: Andy Strickland
However, Andy Strickland just put all the rumors to rest as he revealed that the Maple Leafs will not be on Sam Bennett's list of landing spots.
Hearing Toronto will not be on Sam Bennett's list of free agent destinations, if unable to come to terms with Florida and he becomes a UFA. - Andy Strickland
While there are rumors that Bennett could demand as much as $10 million per year on the open market, he may wind up taking a hometown discount with the Panthers after winning two Stanley Cups since joining the Panthers.
NHL Insider Frank Seravalli believes that Bennett will actually be getting quite a discount if he re-ups with Florida.
Bennett, originally drafted by Brad Treliving in 2014 to the Calgary Flames, has been a member of the Panthers since being traded to them in 2021 by Treliving.
Since he has gone on to experience incredible success, going to three straight Stanley Cup Finals and winning two of them.
He just had a career year, scoring 51 points. He is the ideal playoff player, and the Panthers reaped the benefits this playoff run when he scored 15 goals and 22 points in 23 games.
Toronto needs to pivot to other names with Bennett out of the mix
Now that we know the Leafs will not be able to land his services, they will have to pivot elsewhere to bring in a talented free agent and could look at Bennett's teammate, Aaron Ekblad, or Nikolaj Ehlers of the Winnipeg Jets.
This may also be a sign that Toronto needs to go all-in on Brad Marchand, and if they can't land Bennett it seems that he's the next best choice for the team on the market.
Whichever way Treliving wants to work things this summer, he'll need to navigate a very tough and competitive market, and he can't come away empty handed, especially with the departing Mitch Marner.
Leafs fans now eagerly await what moves Treliving will make this summer to get Toronto over the hump, and if that DNA truly does end up changing next year.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 18 | 883 ANSWERS Insider: Sam Bennett Has Made a Decision on Joining the Maple Leafs if He Hits Free Agency Will the Florida Panthers three-peat with a third Stanley Cup next year? | ||
| Yes | 206 | 23.3 % |
| No | 677 | 76.7 % |
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