Popular Podcaster Believes Maple Leafs Have a Golden Opportunity to Land Sam Bennett
Photo credit: Jason Mowry - USA Today Sports
Spittin' Chiclets co-host Paul Bissonnette believes that Ontario-born Sam Bennett could be the answer to the Maple Leafs' problems and says that the Leafs should go after him hard during free agency.
Everyone under the sun is wondering whether or not the Toronto Maple Leafs are going to sign Mitch Marner to an extension before he officially hits unrestricted free agency on July 1st. His next contract is projected to be somewhere in the $12 million to $13 million dollar range, which would ultimately put the Leafs in a tough bind financially, once again.
Should the Leafs look to move on from their cornerstone winger and find a replacement on the open market, Brad Treliving will have several options. Mikko Rantanen and Brad Marchand could be available but it's also very conceivable that they re-sign with their current clubs, especially considering the latter is the Boston Bruins' captain.
Bennett, on the other hand, has really increased his stock since his arrival in Florida. The former 4th overall pick by the Calgary Flames back in 2014 struggled to the tune of 67 goals and 140 points in 402 games across his first 7 NHL seasons. In his 5 years with Florida, he's already surpassed those numbers with 75 goals and 153 points in 221 games, and his stock is on the rise.
What Bennett brings to the table is far more valuable than most players with his grit, aggression, two-way play, and versatility. Since joining the Panthers, he's averaged over 17 minutes a night - which is 3 minutes more than his stint with the Flames - and he has registered 494 hits and 113 blocked shots.
In his last 2 post-season visits, Bennett has 12 goals and 29 points in 39 games with 171 hits in 18:32 TOI. He helped the Panthers hoist the Stanley Cup last year and played an extremely pivotal role despite the team being loaded with players like Aleksander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk, Carter Verhaeghe, and Sam Reinhart.
Paul Bissonnette is an avid Maple Leafs' fan and has taken to his platform on several occasions to talk about what he would like to see happen in Toronto. He recently talked about Bennett and how he would be the perfect addition to the club at the behest of their star winger, Mitch Marner.
"I think that he's a guy where you could go to war with him and even if he slows down a little bit, he's always going to be valuable because you can count on him in crunch situations. He is not scared of anything, he'll look you straight in the eyes, doesn't matter who it is across the ice. I think that's a cornerstone guy that you want setting the example for years to come. Pretty sure he could come free agency, like imagine the Leafs getting a guy like that... I would give him an 8-year rather than sign somebody - and I won't say any names - to like another 11 or 12 or 13 million dollar contract. I think when it comes to playoff time that is something that the Leafs would need to address. Give me Bennett the Menace all day in Toronto. Brad Treliving, reach out to Bennett the Menace's agent, block the deal."
The Maple Leafs would be losing a lot of offense with Marner no longer on the team, but with William Nylander and Auston Matthews leading the way, they can sacrifice a high octane offense for grit, leadership, and clutch play during crunch time.
If Bennett decides to walk from the Panthers and enter free agency, he'll have plenty of suitors, which could drive his price higher than anticipated. However, he's the type of player that both Treliving and Craig Berube would love to have to on their team and he might not be totally averse to the idea as well, being from the area.
Whether Bennett wants to remain in Florida or that he would prefer to play closer to home remains to be seen, but there are teams out there with a lot ot cap space who would love to add a player like him. If Bennett makes it to free agency next summer, it will be interesting to see what he decides to do.
| POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 23 | 1907 ANSWERS Popular Podcaster Believes Maple Leafs Have a Golden Opportunity to Land Sam Bennett Would you essentially swap Sam Bennett for Mitch Marner if Marner decides to walk as a free agent next summer? | ||
| Yes, Bennett brings about a different element | 1034 | 54.2 % |
| No, Marner is far more valuable | 873 | 45.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
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