In today’s NHL rumours rundown, the Florida Panthers are trying to get Sam Bennett extended, and they have a number of other free agents to make decisions on. Elsewhere, Mikko Rantanen spoke about his departure with the Colorado Avalanche, and what he expects as he plays in his first game as a visitor in Denver. Finally, the Toronto Maple Leafs are in the worst slump of their season, and some of the players spoke out about it.
Panthers Trying to Sign Bennett
It was reported earlier in the season that the Panthers were trying to get a deal done with Bennett to keep him around. He has been a key player for them, and was impactful at the 4 Nations Face-Off with Team Canada. He plays well offensively and defensively, but most importantly has been a gritty, physical player and a perfect fit with the Panthers’ identity.
It is hard to gauge what Bennett will get on the open market. On one hand, he has been an integral part of the top-six forward group that has been to the Stanley Cup Final two years in a row, including one championship, and one of the favorites again this season. On the other hand, he has a career-high of just 49 points.
Elliotte Friedman reported on Saturday Headlines that the Panthers have restarted their negotiations with the forward, and are looking to keep him around. Friedman stated that Bennett would be one of the most coveted free agents on July 1 if he gets there, but talks have resumed between him and the team, and that it has been a great fit for the player and team.
The Panthers are projected to have $19 million in cap space for next season, and with Bennett, Aaron Ekblad, Brad Marchand, Nate Schmidt, and others due for a new deal, they will have some difficult decisions to make.
Rantanen Speaks Ahead of Return to Colorado
In a media availability in Colorado ahead of the Avalanche and Dallas Stars’ game on Mar. 16, Rantanen spoke about how he felt about the trade.
Related: Grading the Stars’ Blockbuster Trade for Mikko Rantanen
“First thing I want to say is thank the organization, the fans, the players, the coaches for the last 10 years…It was an amazing time here and a successful time for our team here. That’s the first thing I want to say, just thank the fans for their support.”
Rantanen disclosed the six weeks before the trade deadline, there were still ongoing negotiations, but with the clock ticking down, he wanted to meet with management face-to-face. Rantanen said “I told them I’ll be flexible and I want to play here for a long time. And then a couple days later, they traded me. So, that was obviously very emotional.”.
Rantanen struggled with the Carolina Hurricanes, and reports that came out after the trade to the Stars indicate that he didn’t want to stay in Carolina and it wasn’t a good fit. So far, in the first three games with the Stars, Rantanen has two goals and three points.
Maple Leafs Players Speak About Ongoing Slump
The Ottawa Senators defeated the Maple Leafs on Mar. 15, which brought them to within four points of the Maple Leafs. Not only that, but the Tampa Bay Lightning have passed the Leafs in the Atlantic Division, taking the home-ice advantage from them as of now.
The Maple Leafs have lost five of their last six games, with the only win in that stretch being a shootout win against the Utah Hockey Club in a game where they blew a 3-0 lead. Vibes are down across the Maple Leafs players, and as Josh Kloke of The Athletic put it, William Nylander “crossed his arms and slumped a little lower than usual as he leaned back against the front of the Toronto Maple Leafs dressing room.” (from Maple Leafs sound out of answers as they endure season’s worst stretch: ‘Not playing to our level’, The Athletic, March 16, 2025)
Head coach Craig Berube stated “They need to make their mind up in the room as to the importance of the start of the game and 60 minutes of urgency, details, doing things right and playing our game” followed by “I am concerned, for sure…it is an attitude that we have to have from the start of the game.”
There is clear frustration coming from the players and coach. As the Maple Leafs head into the playoffs, this kind of play won’t get them very far. With the need to prove themselves to the world, and themselves, that they can get it done in the playoffs, they will need to re-find what they had earlier in the season.
The Maple Leafs players, despite being in a slump and having internal frustration, had praise for the Senators, which didn’t come across well with Maple Leafs fans on X. With some users commenting saying things like “read the room” and “tone deaf”, praising the divisional opponent that just beat you and are making ground on catching them wasn’t received well.
