Value of: Sam Bennett as a UFA

[GIN ANTONIC]

Feeling this he could be the most sought after C on the UFA market. Assuming he doesn't take some sort of Florida discount, what does Sam Bennett get on the open market?

He'll be 29 at the start of the season and over the past 4.5 seasons with the Panthers he has paced to about 27G and 55P for an 82 game reg season. He tends to miss 10-15 games due to injury, although he's been healthy this year. Plays a physical 2C and is on the PP1 unit and his playoff numbers are pretty much on par with that stat line as well.

How much and what teams would be most interested?

 

[TT1]

he might go somewhere with a young core cus that's where he'll get overpaid the most to play a big leadership role, might eventually become captain too

Utah looks like a good fit, around 8.5Mx7 maybe, if he wants to stay in the East maybe Detroit

 

[bossram]

He'll get an absolute bag and probably won't be worth it.

He'll be 29, never hit more than 50 points (though he should this season) despite playing a lot time with Tkachuk in Florida, and plays a physical style that could break him down.

 

[KrisLetAngry]

I see somewhere between 6.5 (stays in Florida) absolute lowest he may go for 8 years to 8 or 8.5 million dollars to a not no tax team.

 

[GIN ANTONIC]

I see somewhere between 6.5 (stays in Florida) absolute lowest he may go for 8 years to 8 or 8.5 million dollars to a not no tax team.

The thing I wonder about him not staying Florida is just that if that was the case then wouldn't an extension already happened by now?

It seems Ekblad won't be back but Jones coming in eats up that cap space. Do the Panthers reasonably have the space to sign Bennett to a big money deal?

 

[robertmac43]

This contract is going to look so bad so quick. Someone is overpaying BIG for his services.

 

[Vukotal Recall]

Has been a great player in the right (current) situation, will be an overpriced mediocre piece and then swiftly an anchor for anyone but Florida at a discount.

 

[RangerBoy]

Toronto if Marner leaves?

 

[GIN ANTONIC]

Toronto if Marner leaves?

He is from the Toronto area so if Leafs don't retain Marner then I could see something where they re-sign Tavares and move him to wing and bring in Bennett for 2C. Nylander moves up to play with Matthews

 

[bossram]

The thing I wonder about him not staying Florida is just that if that was the case then wouldn't an extension already happened by now?

It seems Ekblad won't be back but Jones coming in eats up that cap space. Do the Panthers reasonably have the space to sign Bennett to a big money deal?

Florida's management is smart. It's why they essentially decided in advance they're not bringing back Bennett and Ekblad.

 

[KrisLetAngry]

The thing I wonder about him not staying Florida is just that if that was the case then wouldn't an extension already happened by now?

It seems Ekblad won't be back but Jones coming in eats up that cap space. Do the Panthers reasonably have the space to sign Bennett to a big money deal?

Rumor has it they just began extension talks again.

He gets injured it seems 15 ish games a year.

Scores at a 25 goal pace and 50 points. Plays wing or C and can play anywhere in the top 9 like a Swiss army knife.
His last 2 playoff runs he was a monster for them.

I do think they have the best chance to sign him. I just think it has to be at the number Florida wants.

It could be criminally low.

 

[GIN ANTONIC]

Florida's management is smart. It's why they essentially decided in advance they're not bringing back Bennett and Ekblad.

Sure, they also have a 2C replacement ready to go in Lundell. I'm sure that has a lot to do with it. Keeping Bennett is a nice to have but not needed based on their roster construction

 

[BHawk21]

They can keep Marchand for 3 years and let Bennett walk and get the same leadership nastiness and production. Lundell could take that 2C role.

It looks like they will talk about extending. I dont know how they can make all that money work.

If he leaves. Tononto is perfect. Head home. Leadership grit. 2C behind Matthews.
Utah Detroit as other money options. Ottawa/Devils would be fun.

 

[Laus723]

Florida's management is smart. It's why they essentially decided in advance they're not bringing back Bennett and Ekblad.

Lol, where'd you see this?

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

UFA contracts are scary

 

[bossram]

Sure, they also have a 2C replacement ready to go in Lundell. I'm sure that has a lot to do with it. Keeping Bennett is a nice to have but not needed based on their roster construction

Again, Florida's management group is smart. They don't just happen to have a future 2C signed long-term by happenstance. This was the planned progression for the team. That's why they signed Lundell long-term when they could.

 

[BLNY]

He'll get overpaid because GMs place a high value on truculence. $7m X 8 years to stay in Florida. Upwards of $9m elsewhere.

 

[UrbanImpact]

Canucks will throw huge money at him for sure.

They lack toughness and dont have a 2C. They are probably hoping that EP40-Bennet can be a shadow of Henrik Sedin-Kesler as 1-2 down the middle.


Cant say ive watched Bennet too much since he moved to Florida. Can he carry and drive a 2nd line? PK, PP?

I wouldnt be shocked if Canucks go 7 yrs - 8.5-9mil AAV per. Pretty much the money they opened up moving Miller.

 

[bossram]

Lol, where'd you see this?

There have been basically zero reports of Florida's brass having any inkling of re-signing or negotiating with Bennett/Ekblad.

In advance, they signed Lundell long-term to essentially be the future 2C. They just brought in another big-money RHD (Jones) to essentially replace Ekblad's future role on the team.

It is very obvious this was all pre-planned and part of their management's group vision going forward.

 

[Laus723]

They can keep Marchand for 3 years and let Bennett walk and get the same leadership nastiness and production. Lundell could take that 2C role.

It looks like they will talk about extending. I dont know how they can make all that money work.

If he leaves. Tononto is perfect. Head home. Leadership grit. 2C behind Matthews.
Utah Detroit as other money options. Ottawa/Devils would be fun.

Absolutely want him back.

 

[GIN ANTONIC]

Again, Florida's management group is smart. They don't just happen to have a future 2C signed long-term by happenstance. This was the planned progression for the team. That's why they signed Lundell long-term when they could.

I mean I'm not accusing them of not being smart, I'm just saying the reason why Bennett isn't a must have re-sign type player is because they have another good option for 2C already. This is why I didn't think he would be re-signed but apparently as of today extension talks have resumed.

 

[PAZ]

I think he's gone from Florida, but they'll probably trade his rights for a mid-pick and signs for 8 x 8-8.5.

 

[spockBokk]

I don’t see a world where the Panthers let him go. He’s so integral to their team and they always find a way to keep who they need to.

If he inexplicably makes it to UFA, 31 teams will be throwing money at him.

 

[GIN ANTONIC]

There have been basically zero reports of Florida's brass having any inkling of re-signing or negotiating with Bennett/Ekblad.

In advance, they signed Lundell long-term to essentially be the future 2C. They just brought in another big-money RHD (Jones) to essentially replace Ekblad's future role on the team.

It is very obvious this was all pre-planned and part of their management's group vision going forward.

Freidman just reported this weekend that extension talks just picked up again.

 

[Il Stugotz]