Maple Leafs Still Have a Shot at Landing Sam Bennett After New Report Emerges
Photo credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs could still get their hands on Sam Bennett after a new report seems to refuter the fact he is going to re-sign for certain with Florida.
Although the team is going to be without the services of Mitch Marner going forward, the Maple Leafs still have a chance to land a few potential big name free agents like Aaron Ekblad or Nikolaj Ehlers.
Sam Bennett still in play for Maple Leafs
But the biggest fish the Maple Leafs could end up going for is Sam Bennett, someone who could add a huge playoff presence, while bringing the grit and intensity that Craig Berube loves.
He's going to get a lot of money but he's worth every penny, and with him only one game away from his second straight Cup; he's going to become a very rich man.
But while reports state he is going to stay put in Florida, some new information shows that he might be willing to still test the open market.
Cam Robinson, Director of Film Scouting at Elite Prospects revealed that Bennett's camp and the Panthers haven't talked in weeks about an extension and teams are looking to give it their best shot still, regardless of reports:
Lots of speculations that Sam Bennett re-signing in FLA is a foregone conclusions but I'm told the two sides haven't talked extension in weeks.
Teams continue to prepare sizeable offers should he make it to July 1st. Appears his preference is to stay in USA.
Teams continue to prepare sizeable offers should he make it to July 1st. Appears his preference is to stay in USA.
While he does state that he prefers a US market, could the Maple Leafs find a way to bring him over?
How can Toronto lure Sam Bennett over?
Well, first things first they can offer him a boatload of money. He's certainly not going to be as expensive as Mitch Marner would be and even at $8M per season is worth the price just based off his playoff presence alone.
Bennett would be earmarked as the hero of the franchise almost immediately upon arrival, and while fans love to hate him, they'll need to admit he'd be a huge improvement to Toronto's postseason hopes.
They can also give him a ton of potential endorsements with various companies and sponsors, plus their wide reaching media network would allow Bennett to potentially transition into a role post-playing career.
It would be hard to feel like paying $8M for a player who hasn't hit more than 60 points in a season, especially when you're losing a 100+ point player.
Bennett, 29, had 51 points in 76 games (25G, 26A) but in the postseason has 22 points in 22 games (15G, 7A) and is a very likely contender to win the Conn Smythe should the Panthers repeat.
But the Leafs are all about changing their DNA, and bringing in someone who pulls through in tough times is certainly a much different look than we've seen in years past.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 16 | 574 ANSWERS Maple Leafs Still Have a Shot at Landing Sam Bennett After New Report Emerges Where will Sam Bennett sign? | ||
| Toronto | 115 | 20 % |
| Florida | 429 | 74.7 % |
| Other | 30 | 5.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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