Calgary Flames: Three best trade destinations for Sam Bennett
Calgary Flames forward Sam Bennett could be on the move and we have the three best destinations for him.
We could be on the cusp of witnessing a fairly big trade in the NHL after Sam Bennett was made a healthy scratch for the Calgary Flames’ North Division matchup against the Winnipeg Jets tonight. Now, granted, Bennett has been disappointing this season with one assist and a -5 rating in nine games, so it could be that he’s being sat due to poor play.
Sam Bennett likely won’t be in the Flames lineup tonight against the Winnipeg Jets. Coach decision. This may fuel trade speculation, but sources say, at the moment, there is nothing on the front burner related to trade.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) February 4, 2021
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However, trade rumors have followed Bennett for much of the 2020-21 season so it is hard to ignore the fact that this latest development may have something to do with the constant speculation revolving around Bennett and his future with the Calgary Flames.
Now, Darren Dreger of TSN has stated that the Flames “are in no rush” to trade Bennett given the center’s value, but every player has a price and it is feasible to think that Calgary General Manager Brad Treliving could be tempted to part company with the 24-year-old if he was presented with the right offer.
Drafted with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft by the Calgary Flames, Sam Bennett has scored 63 goals and tallied 66 assists in 373 career NHL games, in addition to putting up 19 points (11 G, 8 A) in 30 Stanley Cup Playoffs games for the Flames.
Still only 24-years-old and in the last year of a two-year, $5,100,000 contract with an AAV of $2,550,000, Sam Bennett will be an attractive player for a number of contenders looking for that final piece in order to embark on a deep postseason run or for a team looking to build around a young core, and we’re going to look at a few potential destinations for the pivot. Let’s delve right in…
Three best trade destinations for Calgary Flames forward Sam Bennett
3. Toronto Maple Leafs
We’ll lead off with this one because the Toronto Maple Leafs seem to be linked with every player wanting a change of scenery, particularly those already residing in a Canadian market. It is no different with Sam Bennett, and we’re going to try and work out if the Maple Leafs would actually be genuine trading partners for the Calgary Flames.
Of course, it is no secret that the Maple Leafs are always looking for more firepower and while Bennett isn’t the most consistent producer during the regular-season, he has developed a reputation for coming up clutch when it matters most in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. For example, the 24-year-old recorded eight points (5 G, 3 A) in 10 postseason contests for the Flames in 2019-20, and that could be an attractive factor for Toronto who can’t seem to get over the hump in the Playoffs.
Therefore, it is possible that the Leafs could look to acquire Bennett in order to add yet more forward depth to their lineup, while also gaining a player who seems to relish playing in the biggest moments and can handle the pressure that comes with that. However, what would the Maple Leafs need to give up?
Well, with very little wriggle room when it comes to the salary cap, the Toronto Maple Leafs would probably have to send a player back to Calgary in order to make this deal work financially, along with maybe a Third or Fourth-Round pick. Does it seem likely? Probably not, but you can’t ever rule anything out with the Maple Leafs and they seem to enjoy stockpiling forwards so it is one worth keeping an eye on.