Rumor: Bennett contract AAV could eclipse $10M?

[Pinkfloyd]

I don't see why the Sharks wouldn't throw that kind of number at Bennett if he's willing to keep it to four years. I'm sure a few teams would also be willing to do that. I don't think that number is an outlandish possibility but it's going to be either that on a shorter deal or 7 years at like 8 or 9 million.

 

[BKarchitect]

Folks saying “40 point player” are being so disingenuous (or ignorant) that it is painful. An honest conversation about Bennett starts with the reason he is so highly valued on the ice. It’s 2025 and somehow the discourse around cap hit still revolves around counting stats. I’m actually happy for guys of Bennett’s ilk to reap the rewards of more analytically inclined management and ownership.

Now…he can still clearly be painfully overpaid. For me at $10 million AAV (or if that’s just agent wishcasting, almost assuredly in the $8-9 range realistically) - the problem is not his “counting stats”, it’s keeping him healthy through a long-term deal with his playing style.

He’s a winning player and if it’s deemed “fine” to pay a one way winger like Jordan Kyrou (just pulling a random name here) north of $8 million, I certainly don’t see the issue paying Bennett significantly more than that in the new economic landscape of the league. I don’t think the number itself is as scary as people are making it out to be. I do think return on investment over 7 years with health is a real concern.

 

[blankall]

I actually could see $10x7 if the Panthers win the cup and Bennett continues to score at his current pace. Bennett is leading the Panthers in scoring right now.

 

[DesertPenguin]

I'd rather pay 3x10m than 7 x 8m

 

[Spurgeon]

People aren’t ready for the new contract “norms”. $30M in cap increases in 3 years is going to result in an unprecedented amount of cap space for nearly every team in the league.

 

[Pinkfloyd]

I'd rather pay 3x10m than 7 x 8m

I think some teams would get in a bit of a bidding war under the three year scenario. A team like the Sharks could probably afford the max player salary of around 19 mil if he was willing to do that short of a term. I think the realistic top end for a guy like Bennett is probably in that 11-12 range but a 7 year deal for 8 mil is more money and security for the guy. It'll be hard to pass that up and someone would surely give it to him. I'm sure the Sharks would agree to that too.

 

[BB88]

This feels similar to Lucic contract in 2016

He’s an ideal 2C, but a team is going to pay him like he’s a 1C

& I doubt any team that gives him 10M can surround him with same support group as Florida

 

[BillDineen]

It's July 3, Mitch Marner still in limbo as teams are waiting for the big chip, Sam Bennett, to pick where he wants to go ....

 

[LaPlante94]

All these made up numbers just for Bennett and Marchand to sign for a combined 10 mil to stay in Florida.

 

[Brookbank]

People aren’t ready for the new contract “norms”. $30M in cap increases in 3 years is going to result in an unprecedented amount of cap space for nearly every team in the league.

The problem with that is , some players are end up so mid and are overpaid so much that cap inflation doesn't even devalue the contract in any meaningful amount. And the player aging counteracts it too.

By year 4 or 5, some of them aren't even NHL caliber players anymore. The cap inflation is irrelevant

 

[Spurgeon]

The problem with that is , some players are end up so mid and are overpaid so much that cap inflation doesn't even devalue the contract in any meaningful amount. And the player aging counteracts it too.

By year 4 or 5, some of them aren't even NHL caliber players anymore. The cap inflation is irrelevant

I’m not arguing whether the contracts are going to be worth it, I’m just stating that these next couple offseasons are probably the first time where nearly every team has a substantial amount of free cap to spend.

 

[Commander Clueless]

Is the source Darren Ferris?

 

[Brookbank]

All these made up numbers just for Bennett and Marchand to sign for a combined 10 mil to stay in Florida.

At least you said what he's really worth. 5 million and not a nickel more

 

[Kimota]

It make sense, he's the lone beautiful deer in the forrest and every wolves and bears want a taste. He's worth 8 but the sky's the limit on what he could get cause of the demand.

 

[BLONG7]

How much did Sam's agent pay those guys to put up those tweets?

This..................big time.

That said, there are 2-3 GM's out there, who may go crazy with this guy, so.................

 

[NVious]

All these made up numbers just for Bennett and Marchand to sign for a combined 10 mil to stay in Florida.

If he wanted 5 million, Florida would've paid that number yesterday, hell they would've paid 5.5 yesterday.

He could call Zito yelling at him at 3am, ranting and raving about nonsense, if he ended the call asking for 5 mill, Zito would immediately drive over to his house with the contract and money.

 

[RiverbottomChuck]

Something so dumb and archaic only Boston or Toronto would go for it. I don't think Boston has the money but fully expect him to be a Leaf or a Bruin if he isn't on the cats come free agency

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

I would love to add him to the Habs, but that's an absolute pass at that amount.

 

[BKarchitect]

Honest question. Who would you rather pay $9 million AAV for this summer…let’s split the difference on these fantasy 3 year deals which would be stupid for the player and the full boat 7 year deal (which IMO is likely but let’s be a little more prudent than GM’s):

$9 million AAV x 5 years

Sam Bennett or Nikolaj Ehlers?

 

[me2]

If Bennett gets $10 million, it would honestly rival the Bobby Holik contract he got from the Rangers.

It still surprises me Holik got a $9 million contract... in 2002!!!

No cap era though. If you were rich enough it was just money.

 

[LaPlante94]

If he wanted 5 million, Florida would've paid that number yesterday, hell they would've paid 5.5 yesterday.

He could call Zito yelling at him at 3am, ranting and raving about nonsense, if he ended the call asking for 5 mill, Zito would immediately drive over to his house with the contract and money.

I don't think him and Marchand are both getting 5 mil. I think Bennett gets between 6.5-7 mil if he signs with Florida and who knows with Marchand. Guys 37 so I don't see a contending team giving him much more than 4 million. Maybe Marchand goes the Tanev route and lowers the AAV for a 2-3 year deal instead of a 1 year deal.

 

[Commander Clueless]

It's gunsta get crazy y'all.

Still think he signs with Florida.

 

[mouser]

28 years old, I’m expecting Bennet to sign a max term contract if he hits UFA. Something like 7 years at $8-9m AAV. If any team can sign him to a shorter term contract at an equal or higher AAV it’s probably Florida only.

 

[Fatass]

This feels similar to Lucic contract in 2016

He’s an ideal 2C, but a team is going to pay him like he’s a 1C

& I doubt any team that gives him 10M can surround him with same support group as Florida

Maybe a club like the Avs see Bennett (even at 10 AAV) as the ideal 2C behind Nate?

 

[drktmplr12]

This was a rumor created by other teams to try and torpedo FLAs negotiations and make them overpay

It won't work.

Long live Zito