Speculation: Sir Sam of House Bennett - contract speculation

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

If he even come closes to UFA, he should have half the teams pounding his door July 1 to accept contract offers. He'll probably stay put, the guy has been incredible ever since his trade to Florida. Playoff gawd

It'll be 6.5 x 8

Him and Verhaeghe making less than 15M is f***ing absurd, Matt Tkachuk trade might be the biggest trade in terms of a franchise's health since maybe Gretzky to LA

 

[featherhawk]

If he even come closes to UFA, he should have half the teams pounding his door July 1 to accept contract offers. He'll probably stay put, the guy has been incredible ever since his trade to Florida. Playoff gawd



Him and Verhaeghe making less than 15M is f***ing absurd, Matt Tkachuk trade might be the biggest trade in terms of a franchise's health since maybe Gretzky to LA

ya FLA fleeced the flames for sure

 

[Dread Clawz]

If he even come closes to UFA, he should have half the teams pounding his door July 1 to accept contract offers. He'll probably stay put, the guy has been incredible ever since his trade to Florida. Playoff gawd



Him and Verhaeghe making less than 15M is f***ing absurd, Matt Tkachuk trade might be the biggest trade in terms of a franchise's health since maybe Gretzky to LA

It definitely has been. Zito was literally born to be a hockey GM.

We can keep both as long as Mackie's cap hit stays negligible, Bennet comes in under $6m AAV, and Ekblad comes in under $7m AAV. If that happens, great. But it'd be poor cap management to give $6m+ and an NMC to our future 3C when we already have already have internal options.

Building a powerhouse team does not equal poor cap management.

 

[branch]

I want him so bad

 

[seanlinden]

With another big jump in the cap coming and the general lack of availability of top 6 centres in the UFA market, Chandler Stephenson's contract should probably be the floor... especially considering that we're 1 year further along from a cap standpoint.

Now, is there a world where he signs a matching contract to Carter Verhaege, giving up a little on the AAV to get the 8th year? I think that makes a bit of sense especially as his contract is unlikely to age gracefully given the way he plays.

However, if he's lookng to UFA, I can think of at least 1 team, that could have a John Tavares-sized hole in the middle of the lineup this summer, where Sam Bennett fits the style of play that their new head coach wants, just about perfectly.

 

[TotalHomer]

I'd argue Bennett is as valuable as Verhaege, different ways but still. I can see Florida going up to 6M x 8 but that's it since they have Lundell ready for 2C duties if needed.

 

[Pablo El Perro]

I'd argue Bennett is as valuable as Verhaege, different ways but still. I can see Florida going up to 6M x 8 but that's it since they have Lundell ready for 2C duties if needed.

As a Panther fan, I agree. At times he's more valuable, particularly the long grind of the regular season. Carter is clutch in the playoffs though.

 

[Leafshater67]

I absolutely love his game and what he brings but he’s not a great skater and hurt often now. He deserves a Stephenson contract or even a little more. A long term, big dollar deal will look bad in just a few of years though. This team has a paper thin blueline and needs to use some cap space on that. Bennett is awesome but someone like Lindell can likely fill that 2C role in the future.

The leafs could really use a Sam Bennett. I’ll even go as far to say I think they’d be a better team if they had Bennett instead of Marner or Nylander. Florida needs to think of that blueline though.