In the Florida Panthers` Game 3 victory against the Edmonton Oilers, a single shift perfectly illustrated why center Sam Bennett has become a powerhouse in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
This memorable sequence started with him skating back to defend. He then delivered a crushing, legal hit on Oilers forward Vasily Podkolzin immediately after Podkolzin passed the puck. Following Podkolzin`s short pass to defenseman John Klingberg, Bennett also checked Klingberg. He continued battling for the puck along the boards, attempted a clear that was briefly intercepted, but Panthers forward Eetu Luostarinen managed to knock it free.
Spotting the loose puck, Bennett, seemingly fueled by a power-up like in a video game, burst past everyone to collect a pass. He then skated in alone on Stuart Skinner, burying the puck past the frozen goaltender for Florida`s fourth goal in their decisive 6-1 win.
Brad Marchand, a former rival now Bennett`s teammate, commented on the play: “`That shift showed his complete game: hitting two opponents hard and then somehow leading the rush to score a great goal. He`s capable of everything.`” Marchand added, “`He`s played like an animal throughout these playoffs. He`s made for this time of year.`”
Bennett has consistently demonstrated this capability in every playoff round. He leads the NHL postseason with 14 goals, surpassing Edmonton star Leon Draisaitl by four. This marks the Panthers` third consecutive appearance in the Stanley Cup Final, and over this three-year period, Bennett`s 26 goals are the most by any Panthers player.
Matthew Tkachuk remarked, “`You see it year after year, playoffs after playoffs – this is where he truly makes his mark.`” Tkachuk praised him as “`the definition of a playoff player,` adding that `it`s truly enjoyable to play alongside him, particularly at this crucial time of the season.`”
With 20 points in 20 games, Bennett is the team`s leading scorer this postseason. He has particularly excelled on the road, a key factor in Florida`s playoff success away from home, registering 12 goals and three assists for a playoff-best 15 points in away games.
Following the Panthers` Game 3 win, which brought them within two victories of a second consecutive Stanley Cup, Bennett became the leading contender in the betting odds for the Conn Smythe Trophy, awarded to the NHL`s playoff MVP.
Bennett has been a disruptive force across all areas of the ice throughout these playoffs. His effectiveness is particularly evident in the offensive zone, where his relentless forechecking and often controversial presence near the opposing net have significantly boosted Florida`s offense.
Marchand highlighted this aspect, saying, “`One of his greatest advantages is his willingness to operate in the difficult areas of the ice, which is crucial in the playoffs – he thrives there.`” He added, “`Many players get challenged physically now, so it`s fantastic to have someone with the skill and ability to score from right in front of the net.`”
Even his opponents acknowledge Bennett`s exceptional playoff performance.
Edmonton captain Connor McDavid commented, “`He`s always played with an edge, going back to when he was young. It`s nothing unexpected – he`s playing effectively and scoring.`” McDavid concluded, “`We need to find a way to handle him.`”
This period of MVP-level play represents the latest stage in Bennett`s unusual 11-year NHL career, which saw him go from a draft prospect famously unable to do a single pullup to a Stanley Cup champion who consistently vexes opponents by any means necessary.
BENNETT`S JOURNEY TO THE NHL
Sam Bennett was selected fourth overall in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft by the Calgary Flames. Three players drafted ahead of him are also competing in this season`s Stanley Cup Final: Florida defenseman Aaron Ekblad (1st), Florida center Sam Reinhart (2nd, drafted by Buffalo), and Edmonton`s Leon Draisaitl (3rd).
As a center for the Kingston Frontenacs in the Ontario Hockey League, Bennett displayed significant offensive talent complementing his defensive skills, recording 91 points in 57 games during the 2013-14 season. He mentioned modeling his playing style after Hockey Hall of Famer Doug Gilmour, known as `Killer` during his time with the Toronto Maple Leafs, who was a persistent two-way forward.
However, leading up to the 2014 draft, Bennett gained notoriety for a different reason: he was the prospect who couldn`t perform a single pullup at the NHL scouting combine.
This incident quickly went viral, becoming a defining moment before the Flames drafted him fourth. Players, including then-Ottawa Senators captain Jason Spezza, contacted him to offer encouragement and advice on handling the public embarrassment. Bennett later successfully completed five pullups for a pre-draft TV special, aiming to silence his critics.
His mother, Diane, recalled to Maclean`s in 2014, “`I knew immediately he`d be mortified by that. He always wants to succeed at everything. Now we can laugh about it, but at the time, it was like, `Oh, buddy, that`s tough.“” She added, “`When some media members questioned his motivation because of it, I thought, `Oh dear. They truly don`t know Sammy at all.“”
Bennett`s first complete NHL season was in 2015-16 as a 19-year-old, where he scored 18 goals and 18 assists in 77 games but received no votes for the Calder Trophy for rookie of the year. The following five seasons saw his potential largely unfulfilled, with 67 goals and 73 assists over 402 games, a minus-67 rating, and averaging slightly over 14 minutes of ice time. In the season before his trade from the Flames, his average ice time was only 12:31 per game, less than teammate Milan Lucic, who was 31.
However, one area where Bennett consistently performed well was the playoffs. Across 30 postseason games, he maintained a points-per-60 minutes average of 1.63, which was higher than his regular-season average of 1.41 during the same period.
Tkachuk, who was Bennett`s teammate in Calgary, stated, “`He`s always possessed the talent, the work ethic, the aggressiveness, the tenacity – everything. I believe a significant factor has been opportunity.`”
Tkachuk elaborated: “`He wasn`t given the same opportunities in Calgary in terms of ice time and role as he has here. I`m not sure why that was, perhaps it related to roster specifics, but he`s truly blossomed into a completely different player in Florida for everyone to witness – although we as players in Calgary always recognized his potential.`”
Tkachuk was among the Flames players who were unhappy to see Bennett leave.
He recalled, “`We weren`t very pleased, especially since he`s a close friend of mine. I wasn`t happy about the trade from Calgary,` he said, `but I was equally happy to see him come here and get a new opportunity.`”
Brad Treliving, now GM of the Maple Leafs, was the Flames` general manager when Bennett and a sixth-round pick were traded in April 2021. In exchange, Calgary received a 2022 second-round pick and winger Emil Heineman. Heineman was later involved in another trade, sent to Montreal in the deal that brought winger Tyler Toffoli to Calgary.
From a strategic standpoint, the trade was logical for Calgary. There was a strong possibility of losing Bennett for free in the upcoming Seattle expansion draft. Alternatively, retaining him would have required extending a qualifying offer as a restricted free agent, which would have meant a salary increase.
When the trade occurred, Treliving acknowledged that Bennett`s development and how he was utilized in Calgary “`could have been handled a little bit differently.`”
Treliving stated, “`I don`t fault Sam for that. Ultimately, Sam put in the effort here; his work ethic was never questioned.`” He added, “`I believe he will thrive with a fresh start.`”
Bennett himself valued the chance with the Panthers.
He explained, “`I certainly had a tough time in Calgary for a period. Upon arriving here, the team`s acceptance and the opportunities they provided me, right from the start, were vastly different from my experience in Calgary.`” He continued, “`I capitalized on that chance and achieved some early success. Although our team structure changed significantly since I joined, I maintained that confidence.`”
Bennett immediately proved his worth, scoring a career-best 28 goals in his inaugural season in Florida, contributing to a team that finished with the NHL`s best regular-season record.
However, the following offseason brought significant changes: Coach Andrew Brunette was replaced by Paul Maurice, and Matthew Tkachuk arrived from Calgary in the trade involving Jonathan Huberdeau. Huberdeau, a highly skilled linemate of Bennett`s, didn`t possess the distinct intangible qualities that Tkachuk brought to the Panthers.
Maurice noted, “`Sam Bennett went from playing alongside Jonathan Huberdeau – an excellent, very skilled player whose style Benny could match – to playing with Matthew Tkachuk.`” He concluded, “`Consequently, his game underwent some changes.`”
This transition marked the true emergence of the `playoff animal` in Bennett. He already possessed scoring ability and skill, along with a knack for performing under playoff pressure. Tkachuk`s arrival further amplified Bennett`s tenacity and ability to agitate opponents, fostering a sense of pride in this playing style and helping shape Panthers hockey into its current hard-nosed identity.
Bennett commented, “`I think our team`s style evolved, and I feel it suited my game even more effectively. This change boosted my confidence on the ice.`” He added, “`I`ve accumulated a fair number of playoff games now and have always felt compelled to perform at my best when the stakes are highest.`”
Bennett`s primary focus is winning, and he pursues victories regardless of the cost.
PHYSICALITY AND CONTROVERSY
Bennett`s physical play extends to opposing skaters.
His physical play has led to disciplinary action, including a one-game suspension in May 2021 for boarding and a three-game ban in January 2022 for an illegal check to the head of Cedric Paquette. More recently, he notoriously punched Brad Marchand during the Panthers` 2024 playoff series against the Boston Bruins; this incident caused Marchand to miss two games but resulted in no penalty for Bennett.
Marchand, recalling their pre-teammate days, joked last month, “`He has a solid right hook.`”
Marchand also shared a different perspective: “`He`s not as serious off the ice as I initially believed. Observing him during games or media appearances, he seemed quiet and withdrawn.`” Marchand continued, “`Once you get acquainted, he`s actually quite talkative, genuinely funny, and a great person to be around. However, on the ice, his intensity is remarkable. He doesn`t engage in verbal exchanges; you don`t hear him during play. He`s entirely focused on the task.`”
Bennett`s assertive play also frequently involves contact with opposing goaltenders.
Very frequently, in fact.
For instance, he collided with Anthony Stolarz in Game 1 of the second round. Stolarz, a former Panthers teammate of Bennett`s now with the Maple Leafs, sustained a concussion in the incident and was unable to return for the remainder of the series.
He also made contact with Carolina`s Frederik Andersen in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final. In Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final, after battling defenseman Brett Kulak, he fell backwards into Stuart Skinner`s crease, resulting in a goal when the puck caromed in off him. In Game 2, he again fell onto Skinner, drawing a goalie interference penalty that, upon review, appeared to be unearned as he seemed to trip over Skinner`s leg during a movement in the crease.
During a postgame broadcast on TNT early in the Stanley Cup Final, Bennett was informed that “`a significant number of people in Alberta`” preferred he stay away from the front of the Edmonton net.
Bennett`s response was direct: “`That`s exactly where I plan to be for the rest of this series.`”
His aggressive play around the net, including contact with goalies, has frequently led to moments of frustration and the question, “`How does he keep getting away with that?`” among fans and opposing teams.
Oilers winger Evander Kane commented, “`Naturally, nobody appreciates players intentionally falling on their goaltender. It`s never favorable, and you hope officials take note.`” He added, “`You can`t retaliate by taking a major penalty early in the game; that benefits no one. However, there are alternative ways to address it, like maintaining aggressiveness and driving hard to their net in return.`”
Prior to joining the Panthers this season via trade, Seth Jones was accustomed to defending against Bennett`s play around the crease.
Jones observed, “`As a defenseman, you see how he positions himself around the blue paint. He pushes off defenders, makes himself large, and effectively screens the goaltender.`” He summarized, “`It`s that continuous physical contact around the net that significantly enhances his performance and makes him challenging to defend.`”
Aaron Ekblad, who has been Bennett`s teammate for five seasons, believes Bennett earns his high-danger scoring chances by consistently going to the most challenging areas of the ice.
Ekblad explained, “`Often, there`s little you can do if he`s being pushed, right? Similar to Corey Perry, he`s exceptional at getting into position between the defenseman and the goalie, leaving you with limited options.`” He concluded, “`Players like that have a natural talent for it; they are among the league`s best in that aspect.`”
In these playoffs, Bennett has arguably been the Panthers` most impactful player across various aspects of the game. This surge comes at a crucial juncture for the veteran center`s career.
Bennett is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. He is currently completing the final year of a four-year contract with Florida worth an average of $4.425 million per season. Speculation suggests his next contract could potentially command an annual salary exceeding $10 million.
Bennett credited his environment, saying, “`I feel incredibly fortunate to have outstanding teammates, linemates, and coaches who show confidence in me.`” He believes, “`That combination is simply perfect for achieving success.`”
Regardless of whether he re-signs with Florida or explores offers from other teams, Bennett`s perceived value will be based on his playoff performance, not his regular-season statistics. He has never reached the 30-goal mark in a season, and this year marked his first time surpassing 50 points.
His value will stem from his track record of championship contributions, being recognized as the “`definition of a playoff player,`” and, as Marchand aptly described, simply performing like “`an animal`” when the stakes are highest.
Rupert Hartwell 
Benedict Kingsley