'He's got the plague': Paul Maurice's bizarre joke escalates Sam Bennett contract buzz

Time of India

a day ago

Maurice's 'plague' comment adds drama to Bennett's contract talks (Image via: Getty Images)
Sam Bennett is lighting up the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but his red-hot run isn't the only thing making headlines. As the Florida Panthers center dominates on the ice, his coach, Paul Maurice, sparked controversy with a wild remark about
Bennett
's future—just as contract talks heat up and free agency looms large.
Paul Maurice's 'Plague' joke fuels fire around Bennett's future in florida
With 14 goals and 20 points in just 20 playoff games, Sam Bennett has become a postseason powerhouse for the Florida Panthers. But while fans and insiders praise his performance, his head coach took a bizarre turn during Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Oilers.
'He's got a horrible attitude. I think he's got bubonic plague,' joked Paul Maurice when asked about the possibility of Bennett hitting free agency. 'He's got a whole bunch of things.
We're not sure he can be cured.'
What may have been intended as a light moment landed awkwardly with some fans, especially given Bennett's rising value and the uncertainty around his next contract. At 29 and producing at a playoff-leading pace, Bennett is playing like a top-tier forward. Yet the Panthers have not locked in an extension.
Insider James Mirtle reported that 'nobody around the league expects Bennett to reach free agency,' adding that both player and team want to keep the relationship going.
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NHL insider Elliotte Friedman also noted back in March that discussions between the Panthers and Bennett had resumed, but there's still no deal in place.
Florida is facing a salary cap crunch, with Aaron Ekblad and Brad Marchand also nearing free agency. It's unlikely the team can keep all three, and Bennett's postseason form has only inflated his potential value on the open market.
Former NHL player Paul Bissonnette even suggested Bennett could land a deal worth $10 million AAV, pointing to his clutch playoff performances and physical style.
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While Maurice's joke made headlines, it also spotlighted the real issue, the Panthers might be risking one of their most impactful players at the worst possible time. And if Bennett walks while they laugh? It could be a mistake, they won't be able to joke away.