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Sam Bennett Sends Clear Message to the Canadiens, and the Rest of the League Ahead of July 1
Photo credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
For the past few weeks, the developments regarding Kent Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens' interest in Sam Bennett have been quite clear.
Bennett literally represents everything the Canadiens need, and on top of that, he's a second-line center.
In short, while many fans and experts continue to dream about Bennett, we can probably forget about that now.
Asked about the matter during a press conference, the Panthers forward delivered a surprising message to Kent Hughes and other general managers interested in signing him: his goal is to stay in Florida.
That's quite unexpected, as it weakens his negotiating power and could slightly lower his value-but hey, no one can accuse him of lacking transparency.
Sam Bennett has a message for teams hoping to sign him this summer: he wants to stay with the Florida Panthers
There had already been reports suggesting this, but it's interesting to hear him say it and confirm it so clearly.
David Pagnotta: "Sam Bennett's preference is to stay in Florida" - The Fourth Period
So we can probably officially move on!
Bennett, 28, has recorded 19 points in 19 games - 13 of them goals - during the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
He even made NHL history, breaking the record for most road playoff goals in a single postseason with 12.
This season, he notched 51 points in 76 games with the Panthers, along with 90 penalty minutes.
Acquired from the Calgary Flames in exchange for Emil Heineman and a second-round pick in the 2021 draft, he has turned out to be a true home run for the Florida organization.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 7 | 3362 ANSWERS Sam Bennett Sends Clear Message to the Canadiens, and the Rest of the League Ahead of July 1 Which option, among the following suggestions, is your favorite for the Montreal Canadiens? | ||
| Mitch Marner at 13 million per year | 339 | 10.1 % |
| Sam Bennett at 9 million per year | 1453 | 43.2 % |
| Nikolaj Ehlers at 9 million per year | 948 | 28.2 % |
| Brad Marchand at 8 million per year (3 years) | 622 | 18.5 % |
| List of polls | ||