Sam Bennett Named Villain of Choice for Panthers’ Rivals

The Florida Panthers have certainly made a name for themselves in the NHL, not just for their impressive play but for becoming one of the league’s more polarizing teams. Their aggressive, physical style combined with a string of victories has earned them a reputation that some fans love to hate.

As the Panthers have risen through the ranks, they’ve showcased a roster filled with players who balance skill and tenacity, each contributing to the team’s success in significant ways. Among them, one player has emerged as the ultimate ‘villain’ in the eyes of rival teams.

Over the weekend, The Athletic’s NHL staff published a piece that identified an on-ice villain for each NHL team, highlighting the player who has seemingly tormented rivals and their fanbases the most. Surprisingly, the Panthers’ representative in this dubious honor is not a player with a notorious reputation like Brad Marchand or Matthew Tkachuk, but rather Sam Bennett.

Bennett, who was awarded the 2025 Conn Smythe Trophy while helping Florida secure its second consecutive Stanley Cup championship, was singled out as the most villainous player for both the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Toronto Maple Leafs. This recognition speaks volumes about his impact during crucial playoff matchups.

According to The Athletic, Bennett has consistently elevated his game in the postseason, playing a pivotal role in the Panthers’ success against both the Lightning and the Leafs. In fact, he has helped Florida win four out of six playoff series against these teams, tallying eight goals and 14 points over 19 games.

Conversely, the player deemed the Panthers’ most significant villain is Tampa Bay’s Nikita Kucherov. His offensive prowess has certainly been a thorn in Florida’s side, consistently producing over a point per game against them in both regular and postseason play. However, some might argue that Brandon Hagel, known for his physical play against the Panthers, could also be considered a villain, although his postseason numbers against Florida have been less impressive.

What do you think of these villainous choices? Share your thoughts in the comments, and let us know if you agree or if there’s another player you believe should be on the list.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.