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After a strong rookie campaign, Sam Bennett has mustered up either 26 or 27 points in three consecutive seasons. His offensive game, which there isn't much to, appears to have stagnated.
You wouldn't think he'd cost much to extend as a restricted free agent; although it's worth noting arbitration rights give him a little more leverage.
That's why, on the surface,
EvolvingWild's contract projection of three years at $2.8 million per felt just a tad high.
If the contracts being handed out to other middle-6 RFA forwards are any indication, that projection looks just...right (in terms of accuracy).
As you can see, the going rate seems to be ~$3.2 for short-term bridge deals. While Bennett comes in on the low end in terms of point production, only Kasperi Kapanen generated scoring chances at a more efficient clip.
I think the best comparable listed is Danton Heinen. He averaged slightly more points and slightly fewer goals than Bennett on a per minute basis. Even then, you're looking at the same price point as EvolvingWild projected months ago.
GM Brad Treliving is going to have a tough time getting Bennett locked up in the ideal range ($2-2.25M), especially for a team with little (no?) money to spare, given the cost of other RFA wingers.
That's partly why I think it might make sense for the Flames to explore what's out there for Bennett. Andrew Mangiapane's emergence leaves reason to argue Bennett is the 4th best left winger on the roster, and a cap-strapped team has no business using that kind of coin on LW4.
Whether the Flames actually explore the market for Bennett, or even consider doing so, is certainly up for debate but it could very well be the best course of action.
Bennett isn't going to sign for pennies and, intangibles aside, the Flames have internal options capable of producing as much as Bennett – if not more.
numbers via naturalstattrick.com and capfriendly.com
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