Top Free Agent Forward Crosses the Toronto Maple Leafs Off His List Ahead of Free Agency

The Florida Panthers secured their second straight Stanley Cup win, and it came off the heels of one of the most balanced team efforts in recent memory.

The Panthers have several marquee players potentially on the verge of hitting free agency, from Sam Bennett to Brad Marchand to Aaron Ekblad. While the Toronto Maple Leafs were invested in the idea of pursuing Bennett as a UFA, it sounds like the Conn Smythe Trophy winner has other plans.

St. Louis Blues reporter Andy Strickland has reported that Bennett is not including the Maple Leafs on his list of preferred teams should he reach free agency. He hasn't ruled out a return to the Panthers, but what is known today is that the Leafs are not going to be a suitor should he walk on July 1st.

That bit of news is certainly disheartening to hear, considering the fact that Bennett was going to be the second most sought after free agent after Mitch Marner. With Marner likely walking as well, the Leafs will have to divert their attention elsewhere and that could lead to some issues.

The free agent market isn't expected to be deep, and outside of the aforementioned duo, the top player remaining would be Brad Marchand, who could very well stay in Florida as well.

In a contract season, Bennett came to play, notching 25 goals and 51 points in 76 regular season games, before upping the ante with 15 goals and 22 points in 23 post-season contests. He was also a plus-6, had a league-high 48 PIMs, 11 even-strength tallies, 13 goals on the road, and a whopping 107 hits.

It remains to be seen what a deal will look like for Bennett, with many teams potentially willing to go higher than $8-9 million per season. The Panthers certainly have the edge when it comes to the income tax debate, and they've been able to secure friendlier deals with some of their other stars in the past because of it.

With less than 2 weeks remaining until July's free agent window opens, the Maple Leafs will have to do their best to get their ducks in a row and start focusing their attention to other free agents to shore up their forward depth.