Florida forward Sam Bennett finds himself in the middle of playoff controversy with the Toronto Maple Leafs yet again. During Game 1 against the Maple Leafs, Bennett elbowed goalie Anthony Stolarz in the head. The hit caused Stolarz to be removed from the game and sent to a hospital for evaluation. But despite Stolarz’s injury, it has been confirmed that Bennett won’t receive a fine or suspension. League sources have confirmed that the NHL Department of Player Safety reviewed the play but chose not to act. Toronto head coach Craig Berube was outraged and characterized it as “an elbow to the head, clear as day.”
Stolarz managed to remain in the game but was stretchered out after vomiting on the bench. Joseph Woll replaced him and secured a 5-4 victory. Nevertheless, the win was eclipsed by worry for the well-being of Stolarz.
Contrasting perspectives of coaches and the league
Florida coach Paul Maurice said that there was no ill intent in Sam Bennett’s hit. “Most of this for me is tempered by the fact that Stolie is one of our guys,” Maurice said. “We love that guy. If I had thought that Sam had crossed the line or an edge, I’d probably be more careful with my words. I just didn’t think it happened.”
On the opposite side, Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube was less than pleased. “Well, they do their job. They’ll look at everything and decide what’s necessary. I know it’s an elbow,” he said.
But was the play worth a fine or suspension? “Again, that’s not up to me. That’s up to the league. So, they’ll do what they think is necessary on that play. That’s not for me to comment on. That’s their job and they’ll do it,” Berube further added.
This wasn’t the first of Bennett’s contentious plays. In the playoffs in 2023, he concussed forward Matthew Knies without receiving punishment. He knocked out forward Brad Marchand last year using a stealthy punch and escaped discipline.
Some contend Bennett operates on the borderline of legality. His skill combined with grit makes him a productive player, but even his hits tend to push the envelope. The lack of consistent discipline by the NHL only served to fuel that analysis.
Sam Bennett: A repeat offender with a long rap sheet
Sam Bennett also has a documented past with the Department of Player Safety. He was suspended for three games in January of 2022 for a high hit on Cedric Paquette. It was the year’s first suspension.
In 2021 Bennett was handed a one-game suspension for hitting Blake Coleman. He also received two separate $5,000 fines—that’s the maximum he can receive—for a 2023 roughing and 2025 cross-checking infraction.
His own earnings have made him absorb those fines, but fans and experts wonder why harsher discipline has not followed. People view a trend in his playoff conduct.
Bennett’s style of play: strength or weakness?
Sam Bennett draws praise for walking the line between physicality and cheap checks. It’s part of why he works—also why he’s prone to taking risks. His hits have a tendency to catch others by surprise and are rarely missed. Florida depends on him as much for grit as for production. He scored in Game 1 before the controversy began; hits aren’t his only contribution.
That’s the thing about Bennett, his offense hits as hard as his hits. It’s exactly what makes him an asset to Maurice and the team. “He is capable of a couple of things,” Paul Maurice said of Bennett. “He’s capable of some really fine play at speed, then he’s capable of the hit on players. The very clean hit, but he can change a series with a hit. He’s very physical and then very skilled. He has a really great balance of the two.”
Without a suspension for Sam Bennett, he will presumably suit up for Game 2. Stolarz’s status still isn’t clear, and everyone will have their eyes on the NHL’s concussion protocol. Both the Toronto fans and the Toronto players will be waiting anxiously.
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