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Potential Leafs Free Agent Target Sam Bennett Opens Up About Playing In Toronto
Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Sam Bennett is going to be a coveted free agent come July 1, and with the Maple Leafs a top contender for him, he's opened up about possibly coming aboard.
With a lot of talk about whether or not Mitch Marner is going to stay with the Maple Leafs or not come free agency, the team needs to shift their focus to other players if their superstar winger decides to head elsewhere.
There are a ton of solid options such as Nikolaj Ehlers, Matt Duchene, Brock Boeser, and Sam Bennett.
All players would add a variety of different skillsets, potential, or veteran leadership that could push Toronto over the top if this year is another failure.
The latter player in particular is one that has garnered a lot of interest recently, as Bennett's name has been tossed about in rumors that the Maple Leafs are going to be big-time contenders for the Panthers center.
He would be an improvement over John Tavares, and give Toronto that much needed edge, plus, he's a winner.
Sam Bennett Comments On Playing In Toronto Sparking Free Agent Rumors
But what does Bennett think of all the hearsay? Well, with the Panthers in town to face the Maple Leafs this past Thursday, he took the time to address the rumors and may have added some more fuel to the fire:
I always love playing here. Every time I play here, I get lots of support, always. It's special.
Anytime you can play in front of people who grew up with you and have been supporting me my entire career, it's always special to play in front of them. Yeah, it's always nice to play in my hometown.
Obviously, it was a big game. It's two teams that definitely could meet in the playoffs. So, yeah, that was a playoff-type game.
Anytime you can play in front of people who grew up with you and have been supporting me my entire career, it's always special to play in front of them. Yeah, it's always nice to play in my hometown.
Obviously, it was a big game. It's two teams that definitely could meet in the playoffs. So, yeah, that was a playoff-type game.
Bennett shows a lot of love for his hometown team, and one can only imagine he would have the same childhood wonder that John Tavares had when he signed with the team several years ago.
Though he would love to play here, so too would Leafs defenseman Chris Tanev, who had nothing but praise for the gritty forward:
He's a big guy. I mean, plays big. He's not overly big but plays big. He's strong and not afraid.
That's exactly the type of x-factor the team needs to get them over that hump when it comes to the playoffs. Bennett is a top forward in the NHL but isn't afraid to drop the gloves and will have no issues sticking up for his team; a huge plus in Craig Berube's eyes.
He would also be a huge threat for the Maple Leafs' special teams, and former Leafs coach and current Panthers bench boss Paul Maurice would much rather not see him leave, given his unique and impressive skillset:
Tkachuk is irreplaceable on your PP but Sam is pretty darn good there finding those holes.
Bennett is enjoying another solid season with the Panthers, with 44 points in 64 games (22G, 22A) and 134 hits, winning 47.2% of his face-offs while averaging 17:14 TOI.
Drafted 4th overall by the Calgary Flames in 2014 (when Brad Treliving was GM of the team), he's put in a very respectable career.
In 679 games he has 329 points (159G, 170A) with 1283 hits, a minus-13 rating, and 658 PIM in 15:20 TOI.
While those numbers may not be as lofty as John Tavares', he offers a different game than #91, and currently enjoying the prime years of his career, something Toronto needs to consider come free agency.
He would give Toronto a very defensively sound and aggressive group down the middle with Auston Matthews, Scott Laughton and David Kampf; three very good and very hard working pivots.
The cost wouldn't be too dissimilar to what Tavares will get in his next deal unless he takes a massive discount, and bringing in Bennett on a four or five year deal is a lot easier to stomach than a two or three year deal for a 34-year old.
It looks like Sam Bennett wants to be here, the Leafs players want him to be here, and as much as the fans may dislike the team he plays for, they want him here.
The only issue will come down to do the Maple Leafs want him, or better yet: Can they afford him?
| POLL | ||
MARS 15 | 697 ANSWERS Potential Leafs Free Agent Target Sam Bennett Opens Up About Playing In Toronto Should the Maple Leafs pursue Sam Bennett when he becomes free agent? | ||
| Yes | 627 | 90 % |
| No | 70 | 10 % |
| List of polls | ||