NHL Trade Rumors: Toronto Maple Leafs eye Sam Bennett as potential Mitch Marner replacement in free agency shake-up
Toronto Maple Leafs are planning roster changes and Sam Bennett of Florida Panthers is a target (Getty Images)
As the Toronto Maple Leafs gear up for another offseason overhaul, the team's front office is already feeling the pressure to shake up the roster following another disappointing early playoff exit.
With major names potentially on the move — including the much-speculated departure of Mitch Marner — Toronto could be setting its sights on a proven postseason performer to reshape its identity.
Veteran
Sam Bennett
linked to Toronto as possible free agent target
Among the top names being floated as a target is Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett, who has quietly established himself as a clutch performer and postseason asset. With the Panthers making deep playoff runs in recent years — including three consecutive Stanley Cup Finals — Bennett's battle-tested experience would provide a new dimension to Toronto's forward core.
— TorontoStar (@TorontoStar)
NHL analyst Joe Yerdon of Bleacher Report has already connected Bennett to the Leafs in a recent column. 'History and money have a way of working out sometimes,' Yerdon wrote. 'But if the Leafs added Bennett while also losing Marner, the way Toronto plays and responds to teams will change drastically. Bennett addresses a desperate need in the Leafs lineup and they may have a lot of money at their disposal to make an offer.
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A gritty, playoff-proven addition Toronto desperately needs
While Bennett may not carry the star power of Marner, what he brings to the table is exactly what Toronto has lacked in recent playoff failures — physicality, grit, and reliable two-way play. His 15 goals and 7 assists this postseason for the Panthers highlight his ability to deliver in critical moments — something that would be welcomed in Toronto's locker room.
Bennett's current contract with Florida expires July 1, and although many expect the Panthers to work hard to retain him, free agency is unpredictable.
If negotiations falter, Toronto could be ready to pounce with a strong offer.
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Should the Leafs move forward with a pursuit of Bennett, it may mark a deliberate shift in strategy — away from finesse and toward a more physical, playoff-ready core. Whether this direction can finally lift Toronto out of its postseason rut remains to be seen, but adding a battle-hardened veteran like Sam Bennett would be a bold first step.
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