NHL Free Agency: One Team Listed As The 'Best' Landing Spot For Sam Bennett

Wednesday, April 23, 2025 ,

Nick Goss of NBC Sports Boston laid out a clear path for how the Bruins can retool this offseason after a deeply disappointing campaign. 

With $28 million in projected cap space and a strong collection of draft picks—including four first-rounders and five second-rounders over the next three years—Boston has the assets to be aggressive. 

Their most glaring issue is down the middle, where the retirements of Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci left a hole they failed to adequately fill. Goss believes that a legitimate top-six center is their biggest need and that the trade market is their best route, given the limited free-agent pool.

Among free-agent options, Goss names Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett as the best available target but cautions that he might not be worth a major financial commitment. 

Though Bennett scored 25 goals last season and brings playoff grit, Goss argues that if Boston wants to swing big—possibly at a player like Mitch Marner if he reaches free agency—they should be cautious with how they spend. 

Marner, an obviously dynamic playmaker with 73 assists this year, would command a significant deal but could immediately transform the Bruins’ offense.

The Bruins are also expected to weigh coaching changes, with their next hire needing to both develop young talent and fix a special teams unit that finished near the bottom of the league. 

Jeremy Swayman’s bounce-back is critical in net after an uncharacteristically rough season following his $66 million contract.

Photo Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

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