Leafs Hopes of Signing Top Free Agent Diminish Following Elliotte Friedman's Report
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Despite reported interest by the Maple Leafs in pending UFA Sam Bennett, Elliotte Friedman is reporting that negotiations are underway between him and the Panthers on a contract extension.
Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett has proven himself to be one of the most valuable players on their roster, having already helped them win the franchise's first Stanley Cup with aspirations for a repeat performance this year.
He's also a pending free agent and can become one of the more notable names to hit the open market.
But per top NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, negotiations between Bennett's representation and Panthers management on a new deal to keep him in Florida long-term are said to be underway.
This would be a disappointing development for the Toronto Maple Leafs, who are said to be interested in signing Bennett if he were to hit the free agent market.
Bennett, who scored in Florida's recent win over the Leafs, said that he loved playing in Toronto, and clearly seems willing to entertain his childhood team in free agency.
I always love playing here. Every time I play here, I get lots of support, always. It's special.
Anytime you can play in front of people who grew up with you and have been supporting me my entire career, it's always special to play in front of them. Yeah, it's always nice to play in my hometown.
Obviously, it was a big game. It's two teams that definitely could meet in the playoffs. So, yeah, that was a playoff-type game.
Anytime you can play in front of people who grew up with you and have been supporting me my entire career, it's always special to play in front of them. Yeah, it's always nice to play in my hometown.
Obviously, it was a big game. It's two teams that definitely could meet in the playoffs. So, yeah, that was a playoff-type game.
Ironically, Bennett has ties to current Leafs GM Brad Treliving, who drafted him with the fourth pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft while with the Calgary Flames.
After several years with the Flames, Bennett was traded to the Panthers in 2021 and quickly signed to a 4-year extension with an AAV (average annual value) of $4.4 million.
During Florida's run to the Stanley Cup in consecutive years, Bennett contributed a total of 29 points (12G, 17A) in 39 playoff games.
So far this year, Bennett has 44 points (22G, 22A) in 64 games.
| POLL | ||
MARS 16 | 610 ANSWERS Leafs Hopes of Signing Top Free Agent Diminish Following Elliotte Friedman's Report Will Sam Bennett re-sign with the Panthers? | ||
| Yes | 376 | 61.6 % |
| No | 234 | 38.4 % |
| List of polls | ||