Insider Jeff Marek Links Stanley Cup Champion to the Toronto Maple Leafs in Free Agency
Jeff Marek decided to stir the pot a little bit when it comes to free agency for the Maple Leafs and mentioned former Stanley Cup winner Sam Bennett as a top target.
As the Toronto Maple Leafs try to navigate not only the rest of the regular season, but also try to have Mitch Marner and John Tavares' contract situations figured out. It's a tough road to walk, and we'll only really know once the postseason has concluded.
But with the end of the playoffs comes the offseason, where trades, signings, and the NHL Entry Draft is sure to bring a lot of excitement this summer.
There are several free agents available in addition to Marner and Tavares (if they hit the market) and one name in particular would be a perfect fit for the Leafs.
According to NHL Insider Jeff Marek, Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett is a top target the Maple Leafs should target in free agency:
The term I was told about Sam Bennett is that it's a cattle auction. He's the type of player; whenever I watch a junior hockey or even a minor youth hockey, I go 'where are all the bad skaters?' Everybody can skate, everybody can shoot.
Coaches want to go 'What else do you do for me?' Who has the intangibles, who brings the snarl. His nickname [Bennett] is Grouchy or Grumpy or something...he's a wonderful, miserable guy to be around.
Generally, teams don't like to let go of those players. Bill Zito's first move was to bring in Patric Hornqvist; another miserable, not fun player to go up against and decided 'I need to get more of these guys.'
But it will be a cattle auction for him, and I do believe the Maple Leafs will be right there in the mix. But much like Mitch Marner, he's represented by Darren Ferris, and he's known for taking guys to market.
But no doubt, I think the Maple Leafs will be right there with an offer.
Coaches want to go 'What else do you do for me?' Who has the intangibles, who brings the snarl. His nickname [Bennett] is Grouchy or Grumpy or something...he's a wonderful, miserable guy to be around.
Generally, teams don't like to let go of those players. Bill Zito's first move was to bring in Patric Hornqvist; another miserable, not fun player to go up against and decided 'I need to get more of these guys.'
But it will be a cattle auction for him, and I do believe the Maple Leafs will be right there in the mix. But much like Mitch Marner, he's represented by Darren Ferris, and he's known for taking guys to market.
But no doubt, I think the Maple Leafs will be right there with an offer.
That was a bit to analyze, so let's break it down a bit.
Sam Bennett A Good Option, But Toronto Loses Their Identity
Bennett isn't necessarily a miserable person to be around off the ice, but he sure is on the ice. He doesn't let his emotions take control, he provides a cold intimidation factor, and isn't afraid to stick up for his teammates.
He's not an offensive dynamo but is going to give you 20-25 goals per season, great defense, toughness, penalty killing and power play help, and he's still young at only 28; his prime years.
This season, Bennett has 42 points in 63 games, which is less than Tavares, but Bennett adds more grit and aggressiveness and relies less on finesse, and more on crashing the net and causing havoc.
He certainly would be a good replacement for Tavares on the ice, however it's hard to imagine a locker room without both Marner and Tavares; half of the team's identity for the past decade.
Bennett also shouldn't cost as much as Marner, and might be on par with a Tavares deal, and it's easier to stomach a $7-8M AAV deal for a 28 year old than a 34 year old.
If Sam Bennett joins the Maple Leafs, it will be a very solid addition for the team. But it may come at the cost of losing out on both Marner and Tavares. Is that the change needed to win it all?
| POLL | ||
MARS 13 | 513 ANSWERS Insider Jeff Marek Links Stanley Cup Champion to the Toronto Maple Leafs in Free Agency Do you think Sam Bennett would be a good fit with the Toronto Maple Leafs? | ||
| Yes | 443 | 86.4 % |
| No | 70 | 13.6 % |
| List of polls | ||