Panic sets in Florida as Sam Bennett could leave Panthers!

The ball of trade rumours is always rolling in the National Hockey League, however, a surprising name has emerged on Tuesday when Nick Kypreos revealed how Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett could be on the move.

While the Panthers aim to defend their Stanley Cup title, the team is also dealing with some front office issues when it comes to Benning, one of the franchise’s cornerstone players, who has recorded 26 points, including 13 goals, in 28 games this season.

Kypreos reports that negotiations between Bennett and the Panthers on a contract extension have been quite challenging and could lead to Florida parting with the veteran forward ahead of the March trade deadline.

“So, it seems there’s more than a 50-50 chance Bennett could be traded this season if they don’t close the negotiation gap, which sits today as wide as a football field. Unless the Panthers decide to keep him as their “own rental” I would see this as a sign and trade scenario so the Panthers and Bennett can squeeze as much out of a deal as possible. In return Florida would want a current player who can help them right away, and not just futures as they’re still chasing another Stanley Cup.”

If general manager Bill Zito is seriously looking at the possibility of parting with Bennett in order to prevent losing him for nothing once free agency rolls around in the summer, Kypreos claims that the the GM will seek to acquire a player who can immediately bolster their roster in return. The insider even made a bold proposition to the Panthers:

“with Tyler Seguin done for the season Dallas also has a major opening in the roster for someone like Bennett. Would Dallas return Mason Marchment to the Panthers?”

Marchment, a 6-foot-5, 212-pound power forward, was a member of the Panthers in 2021-22 when he tallied 47 points, including 18 goals, in just 54 games in Florida. He signed as a free agent with the Stars in the summer of 2022, but could make a return to Miami if trade rumours surrounding Bennett intensify.

The rumours will only quiet down if / once he signs an extension with the Panthers.

Stay tuned.