How Much Fine Sam Bennett Will Receive if Anthony Stolarz Penalty Is Confirmed? Punishments the Florida Panthers Star Might Face for Alleged Offence

The Panthers vs. Leafs showdown definitely brought the playoff fire, but let’s not pretend anyone was talking about the scoreboard after the final buzzer. Nah, the spotlight was locked and loaded on one thing only; Sam Bennett and that wild, head-hunting moment with Anthony Stolarz. Everything was going smooth as butter for Toronto in Game 1. Nylander was cooking with a three-point night, Bobrovsky looked kinda lost, and the Panthers? They seemed like they forgot their first-round magic back in Florida. But right in the middle of the second period, Stolarz got rocked by a Bennett special and hit the ice, clutching his head like a warning siren just went off.

Insiders like Pierre LeBrun stirred the pot on social media, hinting that the NHL’s concussion spotter might’ve pulled the plug on Stolarz’s night. That independent eagle-eye up in the sky is there for a reason, and if they see a skull-rattler? That’s game over. Stolarz took that elbow during a power play and didn’t exactly bounce back with a smile. Meanwhile, the Sportsnet crew dropped a little twist. Joseph Woll didn’t get his concussion-sub warmup shots, which might mean Stolarz himself or the Leafs made the call. Maybe it was just being careful, especially with the lead in hand, but with Stolarz having been a solid brick wall in the crease all postseason, his status now hangs in the balance. And Bennett? Well, the league hasn’t rung the fine bell yet, but everyone’s wondering, just how much might this hit cost him if things get real?

How much can Sam Bennett be fined?

So here’s the scoop straight off the NHL rulebook, but with a lil’ extra razzle-dazzle. If a player gets suspended and isn’t a repeat offender (aka first-time troublemaker), they lose their coin based on the number of days in the season. Let’s say the season runs 190 days deep, and you get benched for three games, well, you’re waving goodbye to 3/190ths of your average salary. Yep, those missed games don’t just sting your ego, they hit the wallet too, slow and steady like a drip-drip in a leaky bank vault.

Now, if a player’s got a bit of a spicy past and is labeled a repeat offender? The math changes gears. Instead of days, it’s all about games, 82 of ’em in a full regular season. So if you’re sent packing for three matchups, you’re now coughing up 3/82nds of your paycheck. That’s a bigger bite from your piggy bank, and let’s be real; repeat offenders probably already know the drill. It’s the NHL’s way of giving a warning.

But wait, what if it’s not a suspension and just a lil’ slap on the wrist kinda fine? Here’s where it gets a bit lighter, but still stings. Players can be fined up to 50% of one day’s average salary. But hold up, there’s a cap: first-time fines top out at $10K, and if you keep acting up, the next ones can stretch up to $15K, if it happens again within 12 months. So basically, the league’s saying, ‘We’re not mad, just disappointed… and you’re still paying for it.’ So while those fines are definitely lurking in the shadows for Sam Bennett, there’s also a chance he might be staring down a couple of juicy penalties too!

Some penalties too in the books for Bennett?

Let’s talk about hockey justice, the kind that drops the hammer when things get messy on the ice. In the rink (just like in life), actions have consequences, and sometimes that means chilling in the penalty box with nothing but regrets and cold air. The smallest slap on the wrist? That’s your good ol’ minor penalty; just two minutes in the sin bin while your squad plays shorthanded and the other team’s on the prowl with a power play. Stuff like tripping, hooking, roughing, basically all the sneaky, slightly shady moves, will land you there. And if you’re feeling extra bold (or clumsy), you might even rack up a double or triple minor.

But when you really cross the line and make the refs go ‘yep, that was a lot,’ you’re staring down a major penalty. These bad boys are five full minutes of sit-down-and-think-about-your-choices. Think spearing, slashing, boarding, or throwing fists in a spicy showdown. And nope, you don’t get a break just because the other team scores. If both players go off for a fight, subs can hop on the ice so things don’t get too chaotic. But yeah, major penalties mean business, and they don’t come with hugs and forgiveness.

Now if you really lose your cool and go full WWE-meets-meltdown mode, here comes the game misconduct. That’s your cue to hit the showers early, friend. Whether it’s screaming at a ref, throwing your gloves like you’re launching a rocket, or going after someone you really shouldn’t (like a coach or a fan), this one means you’re done for the night. You might even catch a suspension if you’ve stacked up a few of these throughout the season. Hockey’s got rules wrapped in chaos, but at the end of the day, it’s all about keeping the game wild and fair well, mostly wild.

So what do you think that Sam Bennett might get served with? Let us know in the comments!