Insider Rates Maple Leafs' Chances of Landing Sam Bennett

With the likely impending departure of Mitch Marner in free agency, the Toronto Maple Leafs would have his nearly $11 million cap hit freed up, and the same could be said if they don't get pending UFA John Tavares to come to terms on an extremely team-friendly discount.

But still, would the Leafs be able to land much-sought-after pending UFA Sam Bennett? The gritty Toronto-born forward, who would bring exactly what the Leafs need to their lineup, said earlier this season that he loves playing in front of his hometown crowd: "Every time I play here, I get lots of support, always. It’s special." But let's presume that's as a visitor, a few times a season.

Could the Maple Leafs land Sam Bennett in free agency?

Insider Darren Dreger told the crew on The Leafs Nation podcast that fans in Toronto shouldn't hold their breath on a homecoming.

I'm not convinced Sam Bennett wants to play for the Toronto Maple Leafs. I'm not. I'm not. And that's not because he looks at all the nonsense that goes around in this market. It's not that. I'm just saying that this guy is going to have his pick of the litter. There'll be 20+ teams (interested in him) if he gets to free agency.

Bennett, the soon-to-be 29-year-old, hovers around the 20-25 goal mark each season with about 40-50 points. AFP Analytics projects him to be in line for a six-year contract with a $6.6 million AAV. That seems extremely low. If Bennett doesn't get in the $8 million AAV range, it'll be a shock to many. It's not about the sheer points that he puts up, it's the physicality, toughness, intensity and other intangibles that he brings to the table that boosts his value.

Not to mention his propensity to be the ultimate playoff performer. His production and importance to the Panthers has been incalculable these past three postseasons, with 21 goals and 42 points in 53 games with 243 hits. On a per-82 game basis, that would be a 32-goal, 65-point, 375-hit pace. Heck, he leads the Stanley Cup Playoffs this year with nine goals so far, in 13 games for Florida.

So could the Leafs overpay to bring Bennett home? It'll be an intriguing storyline to follow this summer.