May 11, 2025, Miami, Fl: Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett 9 screams after scoring a goal during the third period of Game 4 of a Stanley Cup playoffs second round series against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday, May 11, 2025, at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida. The Florida Panthers won 2-0. Miami - ZUMAm67_ 20250511_zaf_m67_015 Copyright: xAliexSkowronskix Miami - ZUMA0821 0821223448st Copyright: xIMAGO/AliexSkowronskix
May 11, 2025, Miami, Fl: Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett 9 screams after scoring a goal during the third period of Game 4 of a Stanley Cup playoffs second round series against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday, May 11, 2025, at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida. The Florida Panthers won 2-0. Miami - ZUMAm67_ 20250511_zaf_m67_015 Copyright: xAliexSkowronskix Miami - ZUMA0821 0821223448st Copyright: xIMAGO/AliexSkowronskix
A hockey insider named Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett the biggest villain in the Toronto Maple Leafs' recent history this week.
The label was given based on a ranking focused on recent playoff history between the two rivals rather than the franchise's full play. Bennett got the title for two separate incidents that left Toronto players injured in the last two postseasons.
The Maple Leafs and Panthers have met twice in the playoffs in the last few years, and Florida won both series. Several Panthers players have disrupted Toronto's playoff runs, including Matthew Tkachuk and Brad Marchand. However, there's one name that stands out.
“I can’t speak to over 100 years of history, so I’m going to pick a more recent villain in Bennett,” said The Athletic’s Jonas Siegel.
“Whether it was injuring Matthew Knies in the 2023 playoffs or Anthony Stolarz in the 2025 playoffs, or scoring some big goals, Bennett has done a lot to enrage the Leafs and their fans in recent years.”
October 7, 2025, Sunrise, North Carolina, United States: Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett 9 shoots the puck as Chicago Blackhawks left wing Tyler Bertuzzi 59 defends in the first period of their NHL, Eishockey Herren, USA game at Amerant Bank Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025, in Sunrise, Florida. Sunrise United States - ZUMAm67_ 20251007_zaf_m67_027 Copyright: xMatiasxJ.xOcnerx
October 7, 2025, Sunrise, North Carolina, United States: Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett 9 shoots the puck as Chicago Blackhawks left wing Tyler Bertuzzi 59 defends in the first period of their NHL, Eishockey Herren, USA game at Amerant Bank Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025, in Sunrise, Florida. Sunrise United States - ZUMAm67_ 20251007_zaf_m67_027 Copyright: xMatiasxJ.xOcnerx
The Knies incident happened during the 2023 playoffs. Bennett drove Knies hard into the ice with a forceful hit that caused a concussion. The play was enough to end Knies' series, and Bennett was not penalized.
And two years later, Bennett collided with goaltender Anthony Stolarz, making contact with the side of his head. Stolarz even vomited on the bench, was briefly hospitalized, and ended up missing the rest of the series. Bennett again didn't get a penalty on the play.
Bennett talked about the incident the next day,
“Stolie’s a good friend of mine. I reached out to him, and he responded,” Bennett said. “Obviously, never want to see an injury like that. I was just taking the puck to the net. I didn’t even know we’d made contact until after.”
Bennett scored 15 goals during Florida's second championship and won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. The Panthers later re-signed him to an eight-year, $64 million contract.
Bennett's playoff impact on Toronto
In the 2025 series, Florida defeated Toronto 6-1 in Game 7 with Brad Marchand and Eetu Luostarinen each making a goal and two assists. Bobrovsky stopped 19 shots for the win.
Max Domi scored the Maple Leafs' only goal, and Joseph Woll made 28 saves in the loss. The loss extended Toronto's Game 7 curse to 0-7 in its last seven elimination games.
According to the NHL, Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube had said his team lacked the desperation that was well needed for an elimination game. Captain Auston Matthews and forward Mitch Marner both blamed the lack of accountability in the lineup.
Florida then progressed to face Carolina in the Eastern Conference Final. What do you think about Bennett being named Toronto's biggest villain?
Let us know in the comments below.
Read more at NHL Fan Central!
Written by
Aadhya Nalla
Edited by
Suyashdeep Sason