Sam Bennett is probably going signing an extension with the Florida Panthers, per a number of reviews. The 29-year-old was ecstatic throughout the Stanley Cup celebrations in Florida, declaring he wasn’t leaving.
Bennett has been linked to a number of groups, together with the Toronto Maple Leafs, forward of his free company subsequent month. The Canadian staff may add somebody like Bennett to their lineup, as two of their prime stars, Mitch Marner and John Tavares, are heading to free company themselves.
However as per NHL reporter and podcaster Andy Strickland, the Panthers middle by no means thought of shifting to the Leafs or some other Canadian staff. He cited the added strain of enjoying in a hockey-loving market like Toronto as one of many causes.
“I do not suppose he had his eye on any Canadian groups, to be sincere with you, that was by no means actually one thing, from what I perceive that he was seeking to discover, get to the free company and find yourself being in Canada. However I can let you know, Toronto was by no means a staff that he was going to go to. I imply, hear, these guys have clearly performed Toronto within the playoffs…
“Hear, Toronto is nice should you’re profitable, I am positive it is an awesome state of affairs should you’re a star participant. I am positive it is an awesome state of affairs till it is not, when you possibly can’t get it finished within the playoffs and you take plenty of warmth and you take some criticism. That is not for everyone,” Strickland mentioned.
Bennett received the Conn Smythe Trophy this yr with 15 objectives, seven assists and 48 PIMs on his option to his second Stanley Cup with the staff.
Pierre LeBrun initiatives Sam Bennett’s contract with the Panthers
Talking on TSN’s “Insider Buying and selling,” Pierre LeBrun mentioned the Panthers are prone to provide Bennett loads lower than what he would get within the open market from different groups.
“Invoice Zito desires to maintain him, Bennett desires to remain, however what’s that quantity? And Bennett has an agent in Darren Ferris—who’s additionally Mitch Marner’s agent—that likes to convey his purchasers to July 1st if their purchasers are comfy with that, to maximise their leverage,” LeBrun mentioned (00:25 onwards). “So no query in my thoughts, Bennett could make $10 million a yr over seven years on the open market.
“He isn’t getting $10 million a yr in South Florida. So what is the quantity that is sensible for Bennett? Is it $8 million? A bit lower than $8 million? We all know that Sam Reinhart signed for eight by eight a yr in the past right now of yr.”
The Panthers even have Brad Marchand and Aaron Ekblad as free brokers this summer time. With a $19 million cap house left work is minimize out for Invoice Zito and his staff if he desires to maintain all three with them.
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Edited by Chaitanya Prakash
