Sam Bennett’s big season couldn’t save the Panthers from missing the playoffs. (NHL.com)
This week, we learned that Connor Bedard (shoulder surgery) will miss the start of the season; former scourge of the Leafs, Daniel Alfredsson, is now Toronto’s associate coach; and despite rumours he’d reunite with Philly, Claude Giroux wound up staying with the Senators. Other Fantasy hockey stories we’re tracking include…
Sam Bennett Pays Off in Year One
When we last checked in on the Florida Panthers in early June 2025, they were back in the Stanley Cup Final and looking to repeat as champions. And sure enough, they did.
But last season, the injury-riddled Cats took a fairly substantial step back, recording just 84 points and actually missing the postseason after six straight appearances.
However, before you shed any tears for Florida, note that for 2026-27 it remains a top contender – perhaps the top contender – to win a third Stanley Cup in four seasons.
General Manager Bill Zito has been busy this summer, starting with the trade that brought in Brady Tkachuck to play with his brother Matthew Tkachuk. We’re trying to fathom what a pain in the ass it will be to play against these two with Sam Bennett in the middle.
While Bennett missed some time and had his season end a bit early thanks to an LBI, he still surprised many by actually building on his career-best effort in 2024-25. Last season, he scored 26 goals while setting personal bests in assists and points while logging more ice than ever before. Bennett, a waiver wire pick in mid-April 2024, even improved his +/- on what was clearly a weaker team and was his usual agitating self while playing in the Olympics for Team Canada (see video below).
Not bad for Year One of an eight-year, US$64M contract which may not age well considering he turned 30 last month. Bennett will need to remain a viable 2C until at least the end of this decade for that deal not to become an albatross – even with the rising cap.
As a dynasty league asset, he’s not quite a top 100 option, but remains a strong play driver (53 CF% with a nearly break-even mark of 49.6 against elite competition), and is now armed with Dad power. When he came out of the OHL, Bennett was known for his work ethic, and that’s a trait that he’s never lost.
Columbus Secures Its Future in Net
Just under a year ago, we talked about how the Columbus Blue Jackets were a team on the rise, even if their big free agency play last summer was an overspend to bring back Ivan Provorov.
Last season, Columbus managed to up its point total for the third straight season, yet missed the playoffs for a sixth straight time. What do you think the FanDuel odds are that the BJs can improve once again but still be a lottery team?
Well, for what it’s worth, beyond trading for Valeri Nichushkin, Columbus mostly tinkered around the edges, but among its more important moves was solidifying the goaltending depth, both for 2026-27 and beyond.
Not only did the Blue Jackets sign Pheonix Copley to bring in some competition for Elvis Merzlinkins’ backup goaltender gig, but they also signed their potential goaltender of the future to an ELC.
Sergei Ivanov, the team’s fifth round pick in 2022, has played very well in the VHL in Russia, ultimately earning this two-deal deal. Unfortunately, the 22-year-old will spend the first of those seasons in the KHL before coming over to North America for the 2027-28 season.
At that point, the quick and agile Ivanov may be in position to not only take over the backup gig, but in time become a true tandem partner with starter Jet Greaves. Of course, Ivanov’s window may not be very long with top goalie prospect Pyotr Andreyanov just a few years behind him.
RotoRob Tune of the Day
English prog pop band Electric Light Orchestra hails from Birmingham, England. In 1979, they released a compilation album, ELO’s Greatest Hits, which included “Turn to Stone,” originally from the 1977 album Out of the Blue.