‘Give Me A Contract': Panthers' Brad Marchand And Sam Bennett Publicly Hint At Wanting To Stay In Florida
Ever since the Florida Panthers won their second straight Stanley Cup on Tuesday, the team has been celebrating nonstop.
During these celebrations, some of the Panthers players haven't been shy to speak their minds. For example, at a party, left winger Matthew Tkachuk said, 'Connor McDavid, who?' Another example would be from A.J. Greer, who started a 'F--k the Oilers' chant with Panthers fans outside of the Elbo Room Beach Bar in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
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However, Brad Marchand and Sam Bennett have gone even further in terms of unprecedented quotes. Both forwards have made public comments regarding their contractual status and their desire to re-sign with the Panthers.
At the same party where Tkachuk made his comment about McDavid, Bennett took the microphone. He made the crowd go berserk with his Wolf of Wall Street reference, saying, 'I'm not f-----g leaving!'
Not long after, TSN insider Pierre LeBrun said, "I believe Bennett for sure that's what he wants to happen. But there remains a negotiation to be had. Still not sure where it's going to go for sure.'
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After that, earlier on Friday, it was Marchand's turn to get the attention of the media and hockey world with another quote. Inside a Dairy Queen and decked out in DQ merchandise, Marchand was asked about his message to Panthers GM Bill Zito, who acquired Marchand at the trade deadline.
'Give me a contract,' Marchand said, followed by some laughter.
Bennett and Marchand will be UFAs as of July 1, unless Zito finds a solution to sign them to new contracts before then.
If those forwards hit the market, they could be in for an expensive ticket, especially because of their performance in the playoffs.
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Bennett was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy and was the leading goal scorer of the Stanley Cup playoffs. He finished the post-season with 15 goals and 22 points in 23 games.
Brad Marchand lifts the Stanley Cup (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)
As for Marchand, he came through in the clutch moments for Florida, including three game-winning goals. The 37-year-old put up an impressive 10 goals and 20 points in 23 appearances. He finished second in Conn Smythe voting, and he would've been the oldest player to ever win the award.
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