The Florida Panthers sure are in the merry-go-round of roster shuffling as the 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs draw ever nearer. The latest news isn’t quite an injury, but Sam Bennett will be sidelined with the cause being rest. This comes with the Florida Panthers already missing stars such as Brad Marchand and Matthew Tkachuk. Furthermore, Aleksander Barkov had been injured, but he returns to the lineup tonight against the Toronto Maple Leafs. So, what does this all mean in South Florida?
Panthers Sam Bennett Update Not Quite an Injury
Sam Bennett has really elevated his game this season. As he is shut down for the remainder of the regular season, he was in the midst of a career year. His 25 assists and 50 points were career marks, and his 25 goals was his second-best total (28). Besides the stats, you can see it in the way he stepped up in Florida to be one of their top two-way players. Moreover, he was rewarded with an inclusion on Team Canada at the 4 Nations tournament. He really showed his abilities at that tournament and why he is generally regarded as a great top-line player throughout the NHL at this stage of his career.
The Rest of the Story in South Florida
For tonight’s game, aside of the Sam Bennett injury news, the Panthers also welcome back Gustav Forsling and Sam Reinhart. This will be a huge boost for Florida as they ramp up for the playoffs. As they take on the team that they’re had been battling out for the top seed in the Atlantic. Now trailing by six points, with on more game played, and the Tampa Bay Lightning sandwiched in between. It is difficult to imagine the Cats will catch the Buds. However, this sets up well for potential playoff matchups to come.
Main Photo Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
