Bennett (lower body) feels healthy after the Panthers' first training camp practice Thursday, Colby Guy of Florida Hockey Now reports.
Bennett played through an injury during the Panthers' run to the Stanley Cup Finals last year. He had 15 points in 20 playoff outings despite the injury. The 27-year-old figures to fill a top-six spot again in 2023-24 -- he's projected to be the Panthers' second-line center behind Aleksander Barkov.
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Panthers' Sam Bennett: Played through injury
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Bennett (undisclosed) played through an injury he suffered in the second round versus the Maple Leafs, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports.
Bennett only missed the first game of the postseason, and he finished with 15 points in 20 appearances after notching a goal and an assist in Tuesday's 9-3 loss in Game 5. The nature of the center's injury is unknown, so it's unclear how this might affect his offseason and preparation for 2023-24. He'll be entering the third season of a four-year contract, and he's solidified his place as a middle-six forward for the Panthers.
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Panthers' Sam Bennett: Sets up overtime tally
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Bennett posted an assist, four shots on goal, two hits and a plus-2 rating in Thursday's 3-2 overtime win over the Golden Knights in Game 3.
Bennett set up Carter Verhaeghe's goal 4:27 into overtime. While Bennett's gone 11 games without a goal, he's been a solid playmaker with six assists in that span. The 26-year-old is up to 13 points in 18 playoff outings, and he's supported the Panthers' physical style with 74 hits and 60 PIM while adding 66 shots on net and a plus-7 rating.
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Panthers' Sam Bennett: Helps out on game-winner
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Bennett logged a power-play assist, six shots on goal, four hits and two PIM in Saturday's 2-1 overtime win over the Hurricanes in Game 2.
For the second game in a row, Bennett assisted on a Matthew Tkachuk goal in overtime. That's now three assists over Bennett's last four contests, though he's gone six games without a goal. The 26-year-old forward has 10 points, 46 shots, 54 hits, 48 PIM and a plus-9 rating through 13 playoff appearances while maintaining a second-line role.
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Panthers' Sam Bennett: Deals helper in fourth overtime
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Bennett logged an assist, four shots on goal, four PIM and two blocked shots in Thursday's 3-2 quadruple-overtime win over the Hurricanes in Game 1.
Bennett corralled a turnover from the Hurricanes' defense and fed Matthew Tkachuk for the tally with 13 seconds left in the fourth overtime. This was Bennett's second assist in the last five games, as he wasn't particularly effective on offense in the second round. The 26-year-old has nine points, 40 shots on net, 50 hits, 46 PIM and a plus-9 rating through 12 playoff contests this year.
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Panthers' Sam Bennett: Fined $5,000
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Bennett was fined $5,000 by the NHL Department of Player Safety for cross-checking Toronto's Michael Bunting on Thursday.
Bennett was assessed a two-minute minor for his misdeed. He has four goals and seven points in eight playoff games this season. In addition, the 26-year-old has 30 PIM and 39 hits in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Bennett had 16 goals and 40 points with 150 hits in 63 regular-season games.
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Panthers' Sam Bennett: Goal, assist in Game 1
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Bennett tallied a goal and an assist in Tuesday's 4-2 win over Toronto.
Bennett picked up his first point with an assist on Nick Cousins' opening tally midway through the first period. The 26-year-old then extended Florida's lead to 2-0 in the second, deflecting Aaron Ekblad's shot past Ilya Samsonov. Bennett has points in all but one game this postseason, tallying four goals and three assists in seven contests.
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Panthers' Sam Bennett: Suits up and scores
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Bennett (undisclosed) scored his third goal of the series in Wednesday's 4-3 overtime Game 5 win over the Bruins.
Bennett missed the series opener due to a groin injury, and he didn't skate Tuesday due to an injury that may or may not be related, but Bennett toughed it out in an elimination game and continued his strong play. The physical center has recorded a point in each of the four games he's played in this series. His goal Wednesday gave the Panthers a 2-1 lead late in the second period.
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Panthers' Sam Bennett: Will play vs. Boston
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Bennett (undisclosed) is good to play Wednesday against the Bruins, per Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site.
Bennett missed Tuesday's practice, but he ultimately won't miss a game due to the injury. He's been effective for Florida in the playoffs, providing two goals and three points in three contests. Bennett is projected to skate on a line with Nick Cousins and Matthew Tkachuk.
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Panthers' Sam Bennett: Misses morning skate
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Bennett (undisclosed) didn't participate in Tuesday's morning practice, David Dwork of Local 10 Miami reports.
When asked about Bennett and Ryan Lomberg (undisclosed), who also missed Tuesday's practice, coach Paul Maurice said he expects one to play and one to be a game-time decision for Wednesday's Game 5 versus Boston. Bennett's picked up two goals and an assist through three postseason appearances this year.
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Panthers' Sam Bennett: Nets goal in return
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Bennett (groin) scored a goal in Florida's 6-3 victory over Boston in Game 2 on Wednesday.
Bennett was in the lineup for the first time since March 20 due to the injury. He logged 16:15 of ice time, including 1:28 on the power play. His marker came early in the second period to give the Panthers a 1-0 edge. In addition to the goal, Bennett had two PIM, seven shots and three hits versus the Bruins.
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Panthers' Sam Bennett: Returning to action Wednesday
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Bennett (groin) will be in the lineup against Boston for Wednesday's Game 2 matchup, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports.
Bennett will suit up for the first time since March 20 versus Detroit, a 13-game stretch on the shelf due to his groin problem. With Bennett back in action, he figures to slot into a second-line role and should see minutes with one of the power-play units. Prior to getting hurt, the 26-year-old winger garnered two goals, three assists and 26 shots in his prior seven contests.
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Panthers' Sam Bennett: Will travel with team
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Bennett (groin) will accompany the team to Boston for the start of the playoffs, Katie Engleson of Bally Sports Florida reports.
Bennett, who is still listed on injured reserve, isn't expected to play Monday in Game 1. The Panthers hope that he will be available at some point in the series against the Bruins. Bennett missed the final 12 games of the 2022-23 season, finishing with 40 points, 193 shots on goal and 150 hits in 63 appearances.
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Panthers' Sam Bennett: Moved to injured reserve
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Bennett (groin) was placed on injured reserve Wednesday, per CapFriendly.
IR moves at this point in the season are rare, so it's tough to tell what this means for Bennett's status heading into the postseason. He was considered day-to-day earlier in the week, but there's no guarantee he'll be ready for the start of the playoffs next week.
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Panthers' Sam Bennett: Ruled out versus Canes
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Bennett (groin) will not be in the lineup against Carolina on Thursday, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports.
At this point, Bennett could be in danger of missing Game 1 of the postseason, though he will have some extra time to get healed up. Despite playing in just 63 games during the regular season, the 26-year-old winger still managed to reach the 40-point threshold for the second consecutive season and should offer solid fantasy value in the playoffs if he can get back to 100 percent.
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Panthers' Sam Bennett: Possible for Thursday
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Bennett (groin) is day-to-day and won't play Monday against Toronto, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports.
Bennett will miss his 11th straight game. He has been back skating and could be available for Thursday's regular-season finale against Carolina. Bennett has provided 40 points, 193 shots on goal and 150 hits in 63 appearances this season.
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Panthers' Sam Bennett: Ruled out next two games
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Bennett (groin) won't play Thursday versus Ottawa or Saturday against the Capitals, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports.
When asked about Bennett's injury, coach Paul Maurice said "It's soft tissue. It's not healing until it heals, and he's not playing until it does." The Panthers only have two regular-season games remaining following Saturday's contest, so it's possible Bennett will need his team to make the playoffs in order to have a shot at returning to action this campaign. The 26-year-old forward has racked up 16 goals and 40 points through 63 games this season.
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Panthers' Sam Bennett: Not playing Thursday
Rotowire
Bennett (groin) will miss his ninth straight game Thursday versus Ottawa.
The Panthers will go with their same lineup as they did Tuesday, meaning that Bennett - who was absent from practice - will sit this one out. He has 16 goals, 24 assists 193 shots on goal and 150 hits this season. Consider him day-to-day.
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Panthers' Sam Bennett: Sitting out Tuesday
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Bennett won't play Tuesday against Buffalo due to a groin injury, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports.
Bennett, who will miss his eighth straight game, didn't take part in Monday's practice. He has accounted for 16 goals, 40 points, 193 shots on net and 150 hits in 63 games this season. Anton Lundell has been occupying the second-line center role during Bennett's absence.
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Panthers' Sam Bennett: Won't play Saturday
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Bennett (undisclosed) won't play Saturday against Columbus, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports.
Bennett, who will miss his seventh consecutive contest, still hasn't resumed skating yet. He has contributed 16 goals, 40 points, 193 shots on net and 150 hits in 63 games this season. Anton Lundell has been filling as Florida's second-line center during Bennett's absence.
