As the Florida Panthers charge forward in their relentless pursuit of a second consecutive Stanley Cup, all eyes are on Sam Bennett—a player whose electrifying postseason performance has made him the talk of the NHL. With a league-leading 14 playoff goals and a pivotal role in the Panthers’ current run, Bennett’s value has never been higher.

Yet, as the summer approaches and free agency looms, the conversation is shifting from his on-ice heroics to what could be one of the most hotly debated contract negotiations of the offseason. Despite widespread interest from rival teams and rumors of massive offers on the horizon, veteran NHL analyst Kevin Bieksa has stepped up with a powerful warning: don’t let the playoff magic cloud judgment when it comes to Bennett’s next deal.

With the Panthers facing crucial decisions and Bennett’s future hanging in the balance, the stakes have never been greater—not just for Florida, but for the entire league watching closely to see where one of hockey’s most impactful forwards will land.

Photo credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images

Sam Bennett’s future appears to be with Florida despite interest in free agency, but now Kevin Bieksa has sent a major warning to not overpay him.

Sam Bennett has been on fire during these Stanley Cup Playoffs, carrying a league leading 14 goals in the post-season after another in Game 3, as he has led the Panthers to a 2-1 lead against the Edmonton Oilers.

While his sole focus right now is leading the team to back-to-back Stanley Cups, Bennett is also a free agent in the summer, and with this performance, it’s safe to say that teams will be eager to put offers in on the star forward.

We’ve already heard that some teams out there are willing to pay him upwards of $10 million annually on a long-term deal, and while he’s earned a pay rise from his current annual salary of $4.425 million, Kevin Bieksa has warned against teams looking to go $10 million on a new deal.

Unsurprisingly, Bieksa had nothing but good things to say about Bennett, who has a combined 49 points over the last three Stanley Cup Playoffs runs for the Panthers, but with his regular season production thus far topping out at 50 points, it’s easy to see why the former NHLer is cautious about a new deal for Bennett.

Ultimately, all signs are pointing towards the veteran forward returning to Florida in free agency, and given the advantage of no state tax in Florida, he could take a cheaper deal than in Toronto or elsewhere and get a similar value, and with the team in the midst of their third straight Finals run, don’t be surprised if he gives them a free agency discount and returns as they look to go for four straight Cup Finals appearances.