This summer, Jason Newland and I will continue our series looking at potential free agent targets who could be available on July 1.

Today, we’re looking at one of the more intriguing names who might hit the market: Sam Bennett.

Target: Sam Bennett – C – 11 Years Experience

Bennett is a pending unrestricted free agent who’s expected to draw a lot of interest if he doesn’t re-sign in Florida. After starting his career with the Calgary Flames, he was traded to the Panthers, where his game seemed to take off.

Stats

This past season, Bennett played in 76 games for the Panthers and put up 25 goals and 26 assists for 51 points. In his five seasons with Florida, he’s totaled 95 goals and 101 assists for 196 points in 289 games. Across his entire NHL career, he’s tallied 162 goals, 174 assists, and 336 points.

Previous Salary

Bennett just wrapped up a four-year contract that paid him $4.4 million per season, signed ahead of the 2021-22 season. With contract projections suggesting his next deal could land in the $6.3 million range, there’s a strong chance he hits the open market.

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Realistic Chance of a Signing: Cold

I just don’t see a world where Bennett ends up with the Blue Jackets. He’ll probably look to stay with the Panthers, but if he moves on, it’s going to be to another Cup contender. Columbus isn’t there yet.

Sure, there’s a chance he sees the Jackets as a team he can help push forward, but the market for him will be too strong. And GM Don Waddell isn’t going to force a signing that doesn’t fit just to make a splash. The Jackets have younger players in the pipeline who can fill the kind of role Bennett plays—outside of the physicality—without spending over $6 million a year for 50 points.

Stay with us as we continue to look at all the possible unrestricted free agents that the Columbus Blue Jackets could target this summer. 

Let us know what you think below.

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