Very Positive Sign For Panthers' Injured Sam Bennett

For the first time since preseason, Florida Panthers' injured center Sam Bennett actually laced up the skates and took part in practice with his teammates. A very positive sign for the team's hard-hitting forward.

Sam Bennett has stepped onto the ice for his first #FlaPanthers practice since preaseason…

— George Richards (@GeorgeRichards) October 26, 2023

Bennett has missed all six games of the young season thus far after suffering a lower-body injury in the preseason. Panthers beat reporter George Richards suggests that if all goes well, the second-line center could return as early as Saturday when the Cats take on the Seattle Kraken. 

The Hockey News reported that Panthers head coach Paul Maurice had said, in assessing Bennett's return timeline, that he'd need to get in two good, full practices before suiting up for game action. With Thursday counting as one, Friday could complete the pair of practices, thus leading to that Saturday return.

The expectation is that Bennett should slide back into the middle on the line with Carter Verhaeghe and Matthew Tkachuk, as that trio was dominant last season for the Panthers, particularly in its postseason run to the Stanley Cup Finals.

Last year, Bennett posted 40 points in 63 games, after a career-high 28 goals and plus-27 the previous season. 

Photo: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports