Panthers Forward Sam Bennett Makes Emphatic Statement About His Immediate Future
Photo credit: Sam Navarro Imagn Images
In the midst of celebrating their Stanley Cup victory, Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett made a very emphatic statement about his future ahead of free agency.
On Wednesday, NHL reporter Andy Strickland reported that Sam Bennett had no interest in signing with the Leafs despite initial reports from multiple people that the Leafs were a team of interest to the 28-year-old.
Panthers GM Bill Zito has already stated his belief that there is a way to keep his 3 big free agents in Bennett, Aaron Ekblad and Brad Marchand in Florida to take a run at a third straight Stanley Cup.
While Ekblad had already confirmed he wanted to stay, and although we know that Marchand is open to signing anywhere, Bennett had not said much publicly until Thursday night.
Sam Bennett Made a Very Public Statement About His Future on Thursday Evening
As the celebrations raged on at 11 Miami Nightclub on Thursday night, Bennett took to the stage with a microphone where the crowd continued chanting '8 more years' at the Conn Smythe Trophy winner.
Bennett, in response, hushed the crowd before dropping the iconic line from The Wolf of Wall Street.
"I'm not leaving," exclaimed Bennett to a raucious crowd.
Although anything can happen over the next 10 days, it appears that Bennett is set to sign an extension with the back-to-back Stanley Cup Champions, much like his teammate Sam Reinhart did last year before free agency.
What that deal looks like remains to be seen, but recent reports have indicated it will be an 8-year, $64M deal, or at least somewhere in that vicinity.
Considered to be the Maple Leafs' top target to help facilitate a change in DNA among the Leafs' forward group, it appears the Leafs will have to find another way to inject their lineup with effective playoff performers.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 20 | 5647 ANSWERS Panthers Forward Sam Bennett Makes Emphatic Statement About His Immediate Future Will Sam Bennett ultimately re-sign in Florida? | ||
| I'd be surprised if he didn't | 4980 | 88.2 % |
| Not if he wants the money | 355 | 6.3 % |
| Hoping it's a ploy and he signs in Toronto | 312 | 5.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
TRENDING NOW
