Sam Bennett to the Leafs Gaining Steam After Recent Revelation

The Florida Panthers have officially punched their ticket to the Stanley Cup Final for the third straight season - an impressive feat that is beginning to cement them as a modern dynasty.

Among the players driving their success is rugged forward Sam Bennett, a playoff performer through and through.

Set to hit free agency this offseason, Bennett is due for a significant raise. There's already widespread speculation about where he might sign, with the Toronto Maple Leafs emerging as a serious contender. Not only is Bennett from Ontario, but he also grew up a Leafs fan - something that adds fuel to the rumours.

That connection was made even more intriguing after a resurfaced photo from Bennett's draft interview with the Calgary Flames went viral. In it, he reveals the reason behind wearing jersey number 93 during his junior hockey days and in Calgary.

Doug Gilmour, a Leafs legend, remains one of the most beloved figures in franchise history - and Bennett choosing his number out of admiration only deepens the potential Toronto connection.

While the Maple Leafs may be among the frontrunners to land the Panthers forward, if he goes to free agency, interest in Bennett is expected to be high across the league, especially after his standout playoff performance.

With the Leafs expected to make major changes this summer, Bennett could be the perfect addition - the kind of gritty, effective playoff player that the Leafs could use to give them more balance in their lineup.