Blues Interested In Popular Free Agent

Sam Bennett, Florida Panthers
The St. Louis Blues are looking to make changes and take strides to becoming a legitimate contender very soon. They have the young talent and some solid veterans sprinkled in, but will be looking to add this offseason in free agency.

The player on the Blues' list is Sam Bennett according to Andy Strickland. It seems very likely that St. Louis could go the route of having three productive and fairly equal lines to spread out scoring and outmatch opponents. Adding Bennett would certainly give them the opportunity to do so and shore up the middle of the ice for a long time.

While Bennett is a centerman, players like Brayden Schenn, who may be shopped around, and Dylan Holloway, can play center and the wing. It would provide the Blues with ample options to mix and match lines to find the best combinations. Pavel Buchnevich also fits in that category of players in the Blues' top-9 who can line up at center or on the wing.

I think many were surprised by the Blues this season in that they exceeded expectations and made a comeback during the season to get into the eight spot. Then they almost knocked off the Presidents' Trophy winning Winnipeg Jets in seven games.

This was accomplished with some untimely injuries and bringing in Bennett would add a playoff performer to the mix. He currently plays with good players surrounding him. I don't think he would be put in a position in St. Louis where he has to drive the line with some talented players filling the roster. He can score and provide a good amount of points as a second line center and is always in the fight when games matter the most. The end goal is the Stanley Cup for the Blues again with this newer look team after re-tooling successfully. Bennett might be the last piece needed for them to make the jump in the standings and in the playoffs.

Photo credit: © James Guillory-Imagn Images