As the NHL playoffs draw closer, the Florida Panthers are making calculated moves to ensure their roster is healthy and ready for the high-stakes action. One major decision came this week, as the team confirmed that center Sam Bennett will not return during the final stretch of the regular season.
Florida Panthers rule out Sam Bennett for the rest of regular season to prioritize playoff health
Sam Bennett, who was absent for Sunday’s game against the Red Wings and again Tuesday night versus the Maple Leafs, is recovering from an upper-body injury that’s been bothering him for a while. While he did participate in the morning skate, the Panthers are choosing caution over urgency—a sign of how crucial he is to their playoff hopes.
Head coach Paul Maurice provided clarity before Tuesday’s 3-1 victory over Toronto, which snapped Florida’s five-game winless skid. “I just don’t think he’s going back in,” Maurice said. “We’re going to take the time for the rest of the season.”
Maurice noted that Bennett’s condition has been “ongoing” but “manageable,” revealing that it developed during the Panthers' recent road trip. Although Bennett is technically healthy enough to play, Maurice emphasized that his performance wouldn’t be at the level the team needs right now.
“He can play, but we have to get him as close to 100 percent, and we think we might be able to do that. But we have to do that off the ice,” he explained.
With the playoffs beginning April 19, the Panthers are clearly aiming to enter the postseason without risking further injury to one of their core contributors. Despite missing these last few games, Maurice reassured fans there’s no doubt about Bennett’s postseason availability: “None, zero,” he said, when asked if there was concern about Game 1.
Also Read: Washington Capitals honor heroes of the Fifth Era in emotional ceremony celebrating modern franchise legends
If he remains sidelined, Bennett will finish the season with a balanced stat line of 25 goals and 25 assists across 74 games. The Panthers, now at 94 points and third in the Atlantic Division, trail both the Lightning and Maple Leafs, with four games left to close the gap. The message from Florida is clear: It’s not about how you finish the season—it’s about how ready you are when the real battle begins.
Florida Panthers rule out Sam Bennett for the rest of regular season to prioritize playoff health
Sam Bennett, who was absent for Sunday’s game against the Red Wings and again Tuesday night versus the Maple Leafs, is recovering from an upper-body injury that’s been bothering him for a while. While he did participate in the morning skate, the Panthers are choosing caution over urgency—a sign of how crucial he is to their playoff hopes.
Head coach Paul Maurice provided clarity before Tuesday’s 3-1 victory over Toronto, which snapped Florida’s five-game winless skid. “I just don’t think he’s going back in,” Maurice said. “We’re going to take the time for the rest of the season.”
Panthers HC Paul Maurice announces Sam Bennett will be rested for the rest of the regular season.
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) April 8, 2025
Reinhart, Barkov, and Forsling are all slated to return tonight against the Leafs. pic.twitter.com/HlFZ9nvVVr
Maurice noted that Bennett’s condition has been “ongoing” but “manageable,” revealing that it developed during the Panthers' recent road trip. Although Bennett is technically healthy enough to play, Maurice emphasized that his performance wouldn’t be at the level the team needs right now.
“He can play, but we have to get him as close to 100 percent, and we think we might be able to do that. But we have to do that off the ice,” he explained.
With the playoffs beginning April 19, the Panthers are clearly aiming to enter the postseason without risking further injury to one of their core contributors. Despite missing these last few games, Maurice reassured fans there’s no doubt about Bennett’s postseason availability: “None, zero,” he said, when asked if there was concern about Game 1.
Also Read: Washington Capitals honor heroes of the Fifth Era in emotional ceremony celebrating modern franchise legends
If he remains sidelined, Bennett will finish the season with a balanced stat line of 25 goals and 25 assists across 74 games. The Panthers, now at 94 points and third in the Atlantic Division, trail both the Lightning and Maple Leafs, with four games left to close the gap. The message from Florida is clear: It’s not about how you finish the season—it’s about how ready you are when the real battle begins.
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