Sam Bennett offers a drastically different performance depending on the time of year. He might seem unremarkable during the regular season, blending in and appearing quite ordinary. But come playoff time, he transforms into a dominant force, competing intensely all over the ice, directing everything towards the net, and taking over games, even scoring crucial goals like the massive one for Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off or his recent pair in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final.
His game steadily builds, culminating in a peak during the postseason. He currently leads the playoffs in goals with 12, ranks second in hits with 87, and is third in shot attempts with over 100. His brilliance was undeniable in Game 1 against the Edmonton Oilers, where he scored twice and arguably was the best player on the ice through the first two periods, even alongside stars like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. If Florida lifts the Cup, it wouldn`t be a surprise to see Bennett earn the Conn Smythe Trophy; he`s been that impactful.
The Panthers forward is also a master of playing right on the edge, or even subtly crossing the line just enough to avoid penalties. He fits the definition of a player you detest when he`s on the opposing team but absolutely love when he plays for yours.
Once the Panthers` third consecutive Stanley Cup Final appearance concludes, Bennett is slated to become an unrestricted free agent, assuming no extension is reached with Florida. Potentially leaving as a repeat Cup champion and an undeniably incredible playoff performer, his timing is perfect. Several teams still smarting from playoff eliminations will likely be eager to sign a player like him to avoid a similar outcome next season. The challenge for these potential suitors lies in determining a fair contract value for someone whose most significant contributions occur after the standard 82-game schedule.
June is a time rife with contract rumors and speculation about interested teams. The rumored range for a potential Bennett deal is broad. Would a seven-year contract worth $7 million annually be sufficient? Could a team even offer as much as $10 million per year? This will heavily depend on how desperate teams are, and there`s no shortage of organizations yearning for playoff success.
While anything is possible, a $10 million annual salary seems irrationally high for Bennett, even with the rising salary cap. Bennett will turn 29 later this month, and attaching such a figure to a long-term contract could potentially become problematic down the line.
It`s crucial to remember that for Bennett to help a team in the playoffs, that team must first qualify. Despite his postseason heroics, his regular-season statistics don`t justify such a massive investment based on typical metrics. Higher point production usually correlates with bigger paychecks, and Bennett has only surpassed the 50-point mark once in his career. Furthermore, his faceoff percentage is well below 50% career-wise, and his aggressive playing style makes him susceptible to injuries, which have already caused him to miss significant time in three of the last four seasons. Therefore, concerns about his physical durability holding up over a long-term contract are certainly reasonable.
Neville Woodall