Panthers' Bennett Seen As 'Ideal Fit' For Eastern Team On Cusp

The Florida Panthers will either choose not to extend Sam Bennett due to money and Anton Lundell's role moving forward, or he will just choose a different team to sign with in free agency. However you look at it, there's a very low chance he returns to Florida after their run.

In that case, there will be teams lining up to offer him a seven-year contract to play on their second line as he is always in the fight and can produce. The New Jersey Devils are seen as an ideal fit this summer, and it makes sense.

Nico Hischier is a center, that isn't debated, but Jack Hughes can and has played on the left wing. The Devils desperately need more scoring and the general manager has said that there is going to be changes. Bringing in Bennett to play on the second line adds more grit to the top-6 as well as bumps a veteran like Ondrej Palat down to the third line where he should be playing.

Hughes' skill could be better utilized on the wing and there aren't very many better options the Devils can go get to replace him at center. Hughes' injuries also hurt the teams, but it is easier to replace a winger who has lesser responsibility than to scramble and replace a top-6 center down the stretch or in the playoffs. There isn't a ton of cap space to work with, but expect there to be lots of things going on in New Jersey this summer, starting around the 2025 draft.