Sam Bennett´s Injury Keeps Panthers Up at Night Amid First Homestand

The Florida Panthers continue to lose sleep over Sam Bennett´s injury causing a big downplay all through the Cats lineup and centre position.

The Florida Panthers got off to a shaky start to the 23/24 regular season partially due to their inability to remain consistent. Failing to find their rhythm, the one fans grew accustomed to during last postseason`s deep run. Injuries, then and now, have cut the Panthers just short and continue to set obstacles for Paul Maurice´s team to hurdle in order to fulfill their goals coming into this season. Sam Bennett`s injury is an early test and his return could go a long way toward assuring the team and its fans and executives are on the right track.

Injuries Stacking Including Bennett’s

Reaching the Stanley Cup Final, although losing on the Grand Stage, has not come cheap for the Florida Panthers whose roster suffered multiple big blows and bumps. Many of which have carried through to this budding season. Such is the case for defencemen Aaron Ekblad and Brandon Montour who are both set to return from their injuries in mid-to-late December, hopefully.

Sam Bennett, on the other hand, got hurt on a much different game than those played during the months of May and June. The second-line centre sustained a lower-body injury on his team`s preseason bout with the Tampa Bay Lightning, and although both teams have a history with each other and sparks tend to fly, the game was not worth it at all for the Cats to lose a player with the likes of their number nine.

Expected Timeline for Bennett´s Return

The Panthers have missed Bennett on the ice during their first five games and all signs indicate they will miss him at least one more time. When the Cats will host the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday night hope inside the locker room and team`s facilities remains the same: getting him back before leaving Sunrise on their current four-game homestand. The 22/23 runner-ups will clash against the Seattle Kraken on Saturday the 28th at Amerant Bank Arena. Granting a three-day margin for Bennett to return to action before taking off en route to Boston and kickstarting a very tough road trip up north.

Paul Maurice was asked about Bennett´s return and his response indicated the earliest he may be back is when Seattle comes to town. The struggling Kraken could set a big opportunity for Bennett to get back to his tempo and get his mojo back up and running.