Maple Leafs Urged to Pursue Canadian-born Stanley Cup Champion in Free Agency
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs might do themselves a great service this free agency by targeting one former Cup champion who could switch from rival to hero in the playoffs.
With the disappointment of their Game 7 loss to the Panthers still relatively fresh on their minds, the focus now shifts towards the Maple Leafs' plans for the offseason and how the roster is going to change come 2025-26 (and it probably should).
This year's free agent class is set to be dominated by two Leafs in Mitch Marner and John Tavares. While Marner is basically a foot and a half out the door, Tavares is more than likely going to stay for a discount.
Toronto Needs A Game Changer Like Sam Bennett
Keeping one is better than losing both, but Toronto needs to find a replacement somehow for Marner if he's as good as gone.
According to The Hockey News' Michael Traikos, not only do the Maple Leafs need to target someone with playoff success and that killer instinct; but it should be someone they are all too familiar with.
No, not Brad Marchand but Sam Bennett:
Need someone to score a goal? Bennett, who is tied for third in playoff scoring with seven goals, is your man.
Need someone to deliver a hit? Bennett ranks second with 67 body checks, is your man. Need a blocked shot, a defensive zone face-off win, a fight? Check, check and check.
Heck, Bennett would gladly send his former goalie to the hospital with a concussion if it meant winning a game.
After all, Bennett is built for the playoffs. He is built to win championships.
Need someone to deliver a hit? Bennett ranks second with 67 body checks, is your man. Need a blocked shot, a defensive zone face-off win, a fight? Check, check and check.
Heck, Bennett would gladly send his former goalie to the hospital with a concussion if it meant winning a game.
After all, Bennett is built for the playoffs. He is built to win championships.
Sam Bennett The Perfect Remedy For Toronto's Playoff Woes
If anyone can help the Maple Leafs, it's Sam Bennett. Not only because he can give the opposition a concussion at a moment's notice, but that he is a genuine game changer in the playoffs.
While fans may hate the fact that Bennett might be a member of the team come 2025-26, you can't deny what he would bring to the table.
A perfect fit for Craig Berube's system, Bennett would offer that extra physicality, a nasty attitude, and real playoff performance.
In his last three seasons, he has 39 points in the postseason (19G, 20A) and compared to the likes of Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews; Matthews has 26 points and Marner has 30.
When a grittier second line player is putting up better numbers than your two superstars, you gotta bring him or someone like him in.
It's not just the playoffs though. Bennett has 336 points in 691 games (162G, 174A) and while it may not jump out like Marner's stats; he's a completely different player.
His 1294 hits, 320 blocks, 670 PIM and his possession metrics are a huge asset to a team desperate for consistent two-way play.
Marner is leaving, that much we know and may actually end up being a bigger villain than Bennett at the end of the day; at least the Florida forward has some accolades and proof of production under his belt.
Sam Bennett Might Not Want To Play In Toronto...Or Canada
Though as much as Toronto would love to bring in Bennett, apparently the forward has minimal interest in not only playing for the Maple Leafs, but for anyone in a Canadian market:
Sam Bennett will not sign with a Canadian team. - Andy Strickland, Cam and Strick Podcast
It would have to take a lot of persuading (and money) to make Bennett interested in changing his mindset, but with the questions regarding what MLSE has planned in the coming days; it could make or break a potential negotiation.
Bennett has some hockey still left to play, but with no extension in sight, he's likely one of the top free agents this summer.
Which is exactly why Toronto needs to target him, and maybe one of his teammates as well.
| POLL | ||
MAI 22 | 918 ANSWERS Maple Leafs Urged to Pursue Canadian-born Stanley Cup Champion in Free Agency Should the Maple Leafs go after Sam Bennett? | ||
| Yes | 693 | 75.5 % |
| No | 225 | 24.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
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