Maple Leafs Could Have The Inside Track To Signing Sam Bennett

Sam Bennett is going to be a very sought after free agent this offseason if he makes it that far. It appears as though the Florida Panthers might have to move on from him, but according to John Shannon, the Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs are the two teams that Bennett wants to play for the most.

Bennett is going to get at least a six-year deal on his next contract, so if his two reported ideal teams to play for are willing to pay for him for that long, then the decision might be more cut and dry. If not, there are plenty of teams that could use a number two center with the playoff experience he has and the nastiness in his game.

The Panthers have already paid Anton Lundell to move into the second line center role, so bringing Bennett back at a high price wouldn't make the most sense, especially since there are other areas where Florida will have to make sure they bolster. The Maple Leafs could be freeing up a lot of cap space if Mitch Marner and/or John Tavares aren't brought back. If either of them leave, Bennett is a great piece to add in the top-6.

Tavares is on the back nine of his career, though still very effective, but Bennett is a longer solution down the middle and a new player that has been a part of teams to get the job done at key times in series and playoffs. It is trending in the direction that Marner will become a free agent and Tavares will re-sign at a reduced price from his last contract of course. The free agent class isn't that great, but Toronto does have the appeal of being a hometown team for many players and attracting them to sign at one point in their careers.

Swapping out Marner for Bennett may not sit well with some, but would be a move many others will be happy about after the playoffs went again for the Maple Leafs. For interest's sake, Bennett heading to free agency would be the most exciting outcome.