The Legend of Sam Bennett

[DeluxeMoustache]

If Florida wanted to do long term in the 7-8 ballpark I think it would be reasonable. Can’t argue the fit

[InternationalVillager]

Some seem to think he's leaving Florida. I don't know how that's the case unless he truly wants to leave. The Panthers have the cap space for him. He's clearly a great fit. I think he stays unless he just doesn't enjoy playing in Florida and is homesick/wants to play in Canada.

[CliffFletcher]

I’m curious how he’d fit in another roster. His current situation is ideal: plays with elite skilled wingers; #2C on a roster with elite two-way #1 and #3 centres; under almost no pressure to produce offensively; plays with loads of guys who play nasty and will back each other up.

It isn’t guaranteed he’d be the same player on a roster lacking some of those elements. Though his play at the 4 Nations does show he can hang with anyone.

[Johnny Makarov]

Whoever signs him this summer will have Lindholm type regrets by January.

but in the meantime. GOOOO Sam GOOOOO!

[Flamesfan05]

Yeah, if they bank on him to carry their offense they will be disappointed

One heck of a player though, will help push a contender over the top

[Flamesfan05]

Originally Posted by Johnny Makarov

Whoever signs him this summer will have Lindholm type regrets by January.

but in the meantime. GOOOO Sam GOOOOO!

Lindholm rarely shows up for important games unless his line mates carry him

Not the same type

[dino7c]

He will get massive offers...if he leaves it will be for more $$$

[midniteowl]

Originally Posted by Johnny Makarov

Whoever signs him this summer will have Lindholm type regrets by January.

but in the meantime. GOOOO Sam GOOOOO!

I don't agree, Bennett has heart, Lindholm? IDK.

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by midniteowl

I don't agree, Bennett has heart, Lindholm? IDK.

He was great until he got his retirement contract.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

I’m curious how he’d fit in another roster. His current situation is ideal: plays with elite skilled wingers; #2C on a roster with elite two-way #1 and #3 centres; under almost no pressure to produce offensively; plays with loads of guys who play nasty and will back each other up.

It isn’t guaranteed he’d be the same player on a roster lacking some of those elements. Though his play at the 4 Nations does show he can hang with anyone.

He's a high end complimentary player. If his linemates are not elite and you expect Bennett to stir the offence, you're going to be very disappointed.

Unless he totally comes out flat in the finals, I see him getting $10 million/year or close to it, with the run he is having. Bennett is definitely looking to get paid too. Let's face it Calgary screwed the first part of his career and he's only had low paying contracts up to now due to that. This is his only chance to get paid.

Even if the new team surrounds him with great linemates, the question becomes how long can he keep it up for? He's turning 29 and already misses substantial amounts of most years with injuries.

When he's not producing, he's also a truly frustrating player, because the penalties don't stop. If he ends up in Toronto, the fanbase is gong to absolutely hate him. They couldn't stand Kadri losing his cool once in a while, Bennett does the same but is not as smart as Kadri.

[DeluxeMoustache]

^ lol

You are stuck reverting to the Calgary bitchers narrative from 5 years ago.

Have you watched him since he joined Florida?

[Cali Panthers Fan]

If you've watched this year's run, he's the one driving offense every time he's out there. Tkachuk has not been very aggressive offensively, and he's definitely not driving the play (probably still not 100% after that injury). They've rotated Verhaeghe and some others on that line, but none of them have created plays like Bennett has.

He's full marks for all the point production thus far and has probably been one of the most consistent forwards for the team. Brings it every single night.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

^ lol

You are stuck reverting to the Calgary bitchers narrative from 5 years ago.

Have you watched him since he joined Florida?

Think playoff Sam Bennett is great. Don't think he looks as good at $9 million. He really is in an ideal situation. Florida just overwhelms the opponents with physical play and driving the net. A guy like Bennett is going to flourish in that situation. If you expect him to be able to slow down the play and produce the offence, I don't think so.

Would be a massive addition to any contender at $6-7 million. Would not be such a great pickup at $10 million, where you expect a player to be the offence.

[FanIn80]

Lots of ways to look at Sam Bennett posted above… here’s another one: for the last few years, he’s been the #2C behind the best center on the planet. The only times he hasn’t been in that spot is when he’s been hurt or filling in on the top line when the aforementioned best center on the planet has been hurt.

(No, McDavid isn’t a better center than Barkov. McDavid is the best offensive forward on the planet, but not the best center. He isn’t even the best center on his own team.)

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

^ lol

You are stuck reverting to the Calgary bitchers narrative from 5 years ago.

Have you watched him since he joined Florida?

I think you are missing his point...would you pay him 10M/year? And is he the same player elsewhere in the league? Most teams can't just have a top guy put up 40-50 in the regular season for that kinda cash. When you are paying a guy double digits the scrutiny is much higher.

[Bandwagon Surfer]

I think that Barkov is a big part of what makes Bennett work. Not directly, but Barkov is so good that it spreads out the teams they are facing too thin, leaving room for Bennett to be a bull in a china shop. Teams cannot focus on Bennett without Barkov's line taking advantage of them, and Barkov is so good at shutting other teams down and frustrating them.

Without an elite first line center on the team with him, I don't think Bennett will perform nearly as well. He would probably feel like a frustrating player who tries to do too much himself, but keeps getting burned for it and taking stupid penalties.

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by Bandwagon Surfer

I think that Barkov is a big part of what makes Bennett work. Not directly, but Barkov is so good that it spreads out the teams they are facing too thin, leaving room for Bennett to be a bull in a china shop. Teams cannot focus on Bennett without Barkov's line taking advantage of them, and Barkov is so good at shutting other teams down and frustrating them.

Without an elite first line center on the team with him, I don't think Bennett will perform nearly as well. He would probably feel like a frustrating player who tries to do too much himself, but keeps getting burned for it and taking stupid penalties.

Same might be said for Huberdeau, seeing how his production dropped off in Calgary

[Calgary4LIfe]

He really is this generation's Claude Lemieux - just not even as close to being the rat/dirtbag he was. Just brings it every single playoffs.


I am really curious how big his next deal is. I guess we will see in a couple of months.

[Icantwhisper]

How many times will he elbow skinner in the head? Over under for series should be 6.5

[Goriders]

Bennett to FLA for 2nd in 2022 and Emil Heineman (taken second round last year). Equivalent of two seconds.

Yikes