The Penguins may need to make a bold and costly move soon. While much of the offseason chatter has centered around acquiring Mitch Marner, there’s a compelling case to be made for targeting Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett instead, especially as a long-term asset.
It might seem like a knee-jerk reaction influenced by his standout postseason performance, but Bennett has legitimately played at a Conn Smythe-caliber level during the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Following Game 3 of the Final, he leads all players in playoff goals with 14—more than half of what he scored during the entire regular season.
The Argument to Sign Bennett
The more I watch Sam Bennett — and I’ve seen a lot of him over the past three years — the more convinced I am that he’s a player who elevates his game when it matters most. Looking at the Penguins’ aging core, aside from Sidney Crosby, who else consistently steps up when the spotlight is on?
Bennett has aged like fine wine. He’s playing the best hockey of his career in his late 20s, and he’s doing it while maintaining one of the most physically demanding styles in the league.
He hits hard, plays with an edge, and is a nightmare to go up against. He’s drawn criticism for his borderline hits and for being a constant menace around the crease — reminiscent of vintage Evgeni Malkin. Bennett brings relentless forechecking, scoring opportunities, and leaves opponents battered.
It might be time for the Penguins to reclaim their edge — to become the villains again. And who better to lead that charge than one of the NHL’s premier agitators?
Sam Bennett was a man possessed on this sequence, my lord.#StanleyCup
— Reason (@the_real_reason) June 10, 2025
The Price Tag
It’s no shock that Sam Bennett is about to cash in big during free agency. The Penguins have roughly $24 million in cap space to work with this offseason.
Their youth movement offers a chance to stock the bottom two lines with young, hungry players instead of aging veterans like Matt Nieto and Noel Acciari, who are already eating up cap space.
But if Pittsburgh wants to be back in the playoff mix, the top lines need to set the tone—dominating games so the younger lines can develop naturally.
Bennett is reportedly seeking anywhere from $7 to $11 million annually on a long-term deal, and he’s absolutely earned that range with his performance.
Meanwhile, Mitch Marner’s expected price tag is outlandish—somewhere in the $13 to $16 million range. Let someone else overpay him. While many have clamored to bring Marner to Pittsburgh, and he might be a cleaner stylistic fit, Bennett could provide something far more valuable for a bit less money: authentic, unrelenting grit.
And let’s be honest—the Penguins are sorely lacking that kind of edge.
I’d have no problem offering Bennett $11 million per year. If state tax differences between Pennsylvania and Florida become a sticking point, bump the number even higher.
Bennett is the kind of game-changer the Penguins’ core desperately needs. Marner may rack up 100 points, but Pittsburgh doesn’t just need another scorer—they need someone who strikes fear into opponents.
Right now, no one fears the Penguins.
But if you inject a relentless, high-skill wrecking ball like Bennett into this roster, the name “Pittsburgh” will start to carry weight again.
It’s time to ditch the finesse. The Penguins need to get back to being a team other clubs hate playing.
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