Sam Bennett Available

[Bloomberg]

I think Bennett pairs well with Marner

 

[Once]

I like Bennett but I'd rather try and sign him when Calgary walks in away in the offseason. Retain our assets for now.

 

[ToneDog]

I like Bennett but I'd rather try and sign him when Calgary walks in away in the offseason. Retain our assets for now.

Sure that works but you do not get him for this playoffs when we is supposedly at his best. If the cost is a dime a dozen 4th liner, I would not sweat it.

 

[Once]

Sure that works but you do not get him for this playoffs when we is supposedly at his best. If the cost is a dime a dozen 4th liner, I would not sweat it.

Not Dermott or Kerfoot. I'd move Engvall, a late pick or maybe Joey Anderson although he is cost-controlled for 3 years.

 

[zeke]

The idea that Sam Fricken Bust Bennett is some kind of gritty warrior is hilarious.

 

[Cpt Maple Leaf]

I’d move Mikheyev for Bennett 50% retained. Mikheyev does nothing but skate fast. Soft as butter. Can’t hit the side of a barn and was a nobody in the playoffs.

He is arguably our best pk'er. and if he starts getting some bounces he will really stand out. Respectfully, no thanks on this deal.

 

[rumman]

Bennett, Ritchie, crouse
Get it done dubas

As if, never happen even though it’s a great idea.

 

[VanW27]

Because statistics.

Half this fanbase is just as soft as the team itself

Because we have a 371 regular season game career that show he's bad. 15 good playoff games over the last 2 years doesn't do much to change that.

If we had cap space to play with then sure, take a flyer and see if he can figure it out, he's 4th liner with some toughness and some upside so maybe a change of scenery would help him realize that upside.

But we don't have the cap space to waste 2.55 million on a 4th liner on the outside chance he develops into something more than that. Even with Calgary retaining half I think we're better off with Engvall at that cap hit. That also assumes Calgary would be willing to eat half his contract, Ottawa/Detroit/Chicago and others would likely be interested in taking a flyer on a former high pick with an expiring deal who can fill a bottom six role.

 

[rumman]

Sam Bennett is a playoff animal. Why would we not want him? He can elevate his game when it matters most.

Something that has been sorely needed on the Leafs for the last few seasons, Hyman can’t do it all...........

 

[rumman]

If those numbers show Bennett is bad, what do they show for Kerfoot, Engvall and Anderson ? At least Bennett comes with an edge. I would not trade Kerfoot for Bennett @ 50% but I'd gladly risk trading one or both of the other two.

Kerfoot’s small stature fits Dubas’ player profile better than Bennett.

 

[zeke]

Kerfoot’s small stature fits Dubas’ player profile better than Bennett.

Kerfoot one of the few leafs smaller than Bennett, actually.

Of course, kerfoot can play center and play well defensively - 2 things that Bennett can't do.

 

[AvroArrow]

No interest in Bennett, he's a bust.

 

[ShaneFalco]

Something that has been sorely needed on the Leafs for the last few seasons, Hyman can’t do it all...........

Dubas brought in Thornton, Simmonds, Bogo, Anderson, Boyd to help out in that department. He also challenged his core to step it up. If they go out early this year, I really think you've gotta move on from one of Marner or Nylander. I'm not convinced Rielly is the guy you want as your #1 d-man either. Of course Freddy can't be the 2nd best goalie each playoff series either

 

[JT AM da real deal]

Sammy is a good kid. Saw him play a couple years with Marlies. Buds with McJesus on same team forever when McJesus dad coached team. Bet he goes to Oilers if traded. He can play when really motivated. Has tons of skill. Could see Dubie liking him. But wrong guy for us as easily pushed around ice. We need more size upfront but more importantly more vet defender depth to survive war.

 

[rumman]

Dubas brought in Thornton, Simmonds, Bogo, Anderson, Boyd to help out in that department. He also challenged his core to step it up. If they go out early this year, I really think you've gotta move on from one of Marner or Nylander. I'm not convinced Rielly is the guy you want as your #1 d-man either. Of course Freddy can't be the 2nd best goalie each playoff series either

Well in Thornton’s case durability has already become a issue, older players are like old cars with high mileage, affordable, but iffy on dependability.....

 

[OVO16]

Im not arguing whether Bennett is better than Kerfoot. Kerfoot is by far the better player right now.

What Im arguing is whether or not the leafs need player like Sam Bennett's calibre, especially for the playoffs. The answer should be 100% yes, but half of this board apparently disagrees.

Adding Wayne Simmonds and Bogosian was a step in the right direction. We need more. Our bottom is soft with Kerfoot/Spezza/Barabanov etc..

Look at what Tampa did by adding Players like Goodrow/Coleman/Bogosian to a team that was already playoff built to begin with

 

[ToneDog]

Im not arguing whether Bennett is better than Kerfoot. Kerfoot is by far the better player right now.

What Im arguing is whether or not the leafs need player like Sam Bennett's calibre, especially for the playoffs. The answer should be 100% yes, but half of this board apparently disagrees.

Adding Wayne Simmonds and Bogosian was a step in the right direction. We need more. Our bottom is soft with Kerfoot/Spezza/Barabanov etc..

Look at what Tampa did by adding Players like Goodrow/Coleman/Bogosian to a team that was already playoff built to begin with

How many posters were against Bogo and Simmonds last year and are now singing a different tune ??

 

[Antropovsky]

Saw highlights of Bennett, I like his willingness to be physical. He at times goes out of his way to finish checks. Of course he has had pretty good success in playoffs despite his shortcomings in the season. 11 goals and 19 points in 30 playoff games is pretty good for a bottom six player.

Would love to get a chance on him because he's from Ontario and idolized Gilmour (good buy low candidate).. but I doubt Calgary deals him to us without and overpayment. I'd imagine there are a few teams who would be interested in him... Montreal, they have had a huge hole at center they have been trying to fill for years (see domi, drouin experiments and drafting Kotkaniemi), and Bergeron loves physical players. I'd imagine Columbus might have interest because of their hopes at center with the loss of Dubois.

 

[OVO16]

How many posters were against Bogo and Simmonds last year and are now singing a different tune ??

Half this fanbase still wants Bogosian benched for Lehtonen.

How is continuous 1st rd Playoff exits still not enough for half this fanbase to realize how playoff soft this team still is

 

[Wafflewhipper]

How many posters were against Bogo and Simmonds last year and are now singing a different tune ??

I was taking some heat for wanting Bogosian when it actually almost did happen. If we had of gotten him we would have cost TBay a cup. Guarantee

 

[OVO16]

Also, toughness needs to come from the top down. Look at Tampa's young stars last season. Every single one of them were ready to get down dirty when the opportunity called. (Kucherov, Point, Cirelli, Sergachev)

I just dont see that from our guys (outside of maybe Mathews here and there). Thats on the coaching staff

 

[ToneDog]

I was taking some heat for wanting Bogosian when it actually almost did happen. If we had of gotten him we would have cost TBay a cup. Guarantee

If we had signed Bogo last year, do Leafs beat CBJ ? Leaf management decided to pass on Bogo and it bit them in the ass when Muzz went down and Maricin was next man up.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

Im not arguing whether Bennett is better than Kerfoot. Kerfoot is by far the better player right now.

What Im arguing is whether or not the leafs need player like Sam Bennett's calibre, especially for the playoffs. The answer should be 100% yes, but half of this board apparently disagrees.

Adding Wayne Simmonds and Bogosian was a step in the right direction. We need more. Our bottom is soft with Kerfoot/Spezza/Barabanov etc..

Look at what Tampa did by adding Players like Goodrow/Coleman/Bogosian to a team that was already playoff built to begin with

Sammy is not a tough kid actually ... kinda soft really ... now maybe he has changed his stripes but he has always been a skilled guy type player who avoids contact ... da kids in gym joke about how weak he is ... you think Mitch is weak well u ain't seen nothin yet

 

[OVO16]

If we had signed Bogo last year, do Leafs beat CBJ ? Leaf management decided to pass on Bogo and it bit them in the ass when Muzz went down and Maricin was next man up.

Lol thats another thing. Tampa had Bogosian/Luke Schenn/Coburn rotating in and out as Depth.

While we had Marincin. Just goes to show how different Tampa's Front Office thinking was compared to the Leafs

 

[OVO16]

Sammy is not a tough kid actually ... kinda soft really ... now maybe he has changed his stripes but he has always been a skilled guy type player who avoids contact ... da kids in gym joke about how weak he is ... you think Mitch is weak well u ain't seen nothin yet

You're kidding right? Dude is extremely physical. Yes he came in to the league as a guy known more for skill, but he's not afraid of Bodu Contact at all. Not sure what games you're watcing