Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett is among this season's notable pending NHL UFAs.
The 28-year-old is in the final season of a four-year contract with the Panthers worth an average annual value of $4.43 million.
Throughout that deal, Bennett emerged among the NHL's best two-way centers. A feisty performer, his 45 points this season mark the fourth straight year that he exceeded the 40-point plateau. He also played a key role in the Panthers' march to the Stanley Cup last season.
Bennett's UFA eligibility this summer made his future in Florida the subject of speculation leading up to the recent trade deadline. However, the Panthers retained him as they prepared to defend their championship.
Sportsnet's Luke Fox included Bennett on his list of this summer's top UFAs. He indicated Panthers GM Bill Zito has been working hard to get him signed to an extension. Fox's colleague, Elliotte Friedman, reported last Saturday that contract talks have reopened between the two sides.
Fox believes it'll come down to whether Bennett prefers life in South Florida or pursuing top dollar elsewhere.
Meanwhile, New Jersey Hockey Now's James Nichols wondered about the future of young defensemen Simon Nemec and Seamus Casey after the Devils signed Johnathan Kovacevic to a five-year contract extension on March 7.
Nichols observed the Devils already have Brett Pesce under contract for five more seasons and Dougie Hamilton for three more, leaving little room on the right side of their blueline. He speculated Nemec or Casey could be dangled as trade bait this summer to add an impact scorer.
Nemec surfaced in the rumor mill earlier this season when it was reported he wanted a fresh start elsewhere. He quickly denied the report, but Nichols pointed out that was before his path to become a blueline regular became less certain.
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