Panthers’ Sam Bennett: ‘We do what the f— we want’
A question about how the Florida Panthers’ playing style has been answered…in an emphatic way.
During the team’s Stanley Cup championship rally on Sunday, Conn Smythe Trophy winner Sam Bennett brought up the topic about how the Panthers like to play on the edge, pretty much saying that he and his teammates don’t care what the naysayers put out there.
“A lot of people,” Bennett said. “They don’t like the way we play. They call us dirty. They call us nasty. They call us bullies. So I would like to take this time to apologize to absolutely f—— no one. We’re the double champs. We do what the f— we want!”
Many have both praised and criticized how the Panthers have managed to push around their opponents, especially in the postseason, utilizing their physical play to advance to the Stanley Cup Final in each of the past three seasons.
Bennett has been one of the most talked-about Panthers in recent years. Not just because he became the first player in franchise history to be named the playoffs’ most valuable player, but also because of his physical style, which has led to a few incidents.
Toronto Maple Leafs fans certainly have their opinion on Bennett. The Holland Landing, Ontario native infamously knocked rookie Matthew Knies out of their meeting in the second round of the 2023 postseason. Then, in Round 2 this year, goaltender Anthony Stolarz left the first game of the series between the Leafs and Cats after being bumped in the head by Bennett. However, it was never proven that the incident was what led to Stolarz leaving the game and being absent for the remainder of the series, which Florida won in seven games.
Bennett also made contact a few times with goaltender Stuart Skinner during the final rematch between the Panthers and Edmonton Oilers, which Florida won in six games, becoming the third team in the salary cap era to win back-to-back championships.
Bennett finished tied for the team lead in scoring during the playoffs with 22 points in 23 games, leading all skaters with 15 goals. He made waves a couple of days ago when, at a party at a local establishment, Bennett, a pending unrestricted free agent, claimed that he, “ain’t f–king leaving!”
To date, Bennett has not signed a contract extension to remain with the Panthers.