Will the Calgary Flames bring back Sam Bennett this summer?
If Sam Bennett hits the free-agent market this offseason, the Calgary Flames might come calling.
Bennett, who was selected fourth overall in the 2014 draft, spent seven years wearing Flames colours before being traded to the Florida Panthers during the 2020-21 season.
Overall, Bennett’s tenure with the Flames was one of disappointment, as he failed to become the impactful top-six forward the organization had envisioned back at the 2014 draft. His struggles at that point resulted in him being moved for just a second-round pick and then-prospect Emil Heineman in return.
The change in scenery proved wonders to Bennett’s career, as he has become a major difference maker with the Panthers. Not only did he help them win the Stanley Cup last year, but he was also able to earn a spot on a loaded Canada roster at the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament.
Bennett is coming off another solid regular season in which he recorded 25 goals and 51 points in 76 games, and has started the playoffs hot with two goals and a helper through three outings. If the Panthers are unable to re-sign him, he will hit the free-agent market in search of a long-term deal.
The Flames not only have ample cap space to work out a long deal, but they also seem to have a serious interest in doing so.
“If Sam Bennett becomes available in free agency, I do think the Flames will go hard after him,” Sportsnet 960’s Pat Steinberg said on Flames Talk. “I think they will put one of the better offers on the table to Bennett in free agency, and I think they will try to see if they can convince him to come back to Calgary.”
The soon-to-be 29-year-old is projected by AFP Analytics to sign a six-year deal worth approximately $38 million, though that seems rather low for all the intangibles he provides. His point-producing abilities, paired with the fact he’s one of the more feared forwards in the NHL, suggest he could command as much as $8 million per year on the open market.
For the Flames, if they were interested in bringing Bennett back, they could offer him even more. It would likely take a maximum seven-year deal to do so, where a cap hit could range anywhere from the $8-9 million mark. It would certainly be a hefty tag and one that wouldn’t come without risk, though the player he’s become with the Panthers would be a huge addition to the Flames roster.
While Steinberg’s comments may seem speculative, he’s not the only media member from Calgary who has suggested a reunion between Bennett and the Flames this summer. Sportsnet’s Eric Francis also floated the idea out in a column back in December, suggesting there could be some real legs behind a return.
In the meantime, Bennett will remain focused on trying to lead the Panthers to their second Stanley Cup Championship in as many years. If he remains without a contract come free agency, however, Flames fans should expect to hear plenty more noise regarding a potential reunion.
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