Quote:
Originally Posted by blankall
Bennett was clearly great in those last two Florida playoff runs. He also clearly played a young man's game. You can't keep up that level of intensity post 30, and no players ever do. Bennett isn't a huge guy (sub 200 lbs) and his skills and hockey IQ aren't anything special, in fact, he's sub-par in several aspects.
Bennett will be 28 this off season, so might have a couple of really good years left, but whoever signs him is likely ending up with a bad asset for a significant part of his contract. "18 year old Sam Bennett" is definitely not 18 anymore.
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He's already 28 actually, so he will be 29 when this contract starts, but I don't think it's a given that it will be a terrible contract.
He plays a very similar game to Kadri - and Kadri has gotten better with age. Kadri has his career best season at 30, and his second best season offensively at 32.
Plays a similar game to JT Miller too, who really started to show his offensive talent in his 28 year season with a 99 point season, and had a 100 point season at 30.
Sometimes guys like that start to produce a bit better when they simplify their game and stop running around trying to be agitators on every shift.
Now I personally don't ever see Bennett having a 100 point season, or even a point per game season. But I don't think it's a given that he ages poorly in that contract.
If you can keep the AAV at $7M x 7 or below, and you get his 29-36 year old seasons then maybe that's not the worst.
I'd be wary of anything above $7M though because even though he's been better in Florida he's still best slotted as a guy that's going to put 50-60 points and can center your second line.