A $9.5M per season contract (and more) for Bennett: Martin Biron floats the idea

It’s true that Sam Bennett is good in the playoffs.

And it’s true that he’s excellent in the big moments because he’s able to show up every night, despite everything.

But to offer him such an imposing contract is perhaps a little exaggerated too. He’s 28 years old, he’s never scored more than 51 points in a single season… and a multi-year contract like that – for a guy who works his butt off every game – can get old.

It kind of reminds me of Brendan Gallagher’s contract…

Because let’s face it: at 33, 34 and 35, Sam Bennett won’t be worth nearly $10 million a season. The team that would give him a long-term contract like that could be biting its fingers if Bennett isn’t as capable of helping out by then.

And with his style of play, that can really happen. Like Gally in Montreal…

Being Kent Hughes, at least, I wouldn’t touch Bennett if he comes with a contract like that.

The Canadiens don’t have the luxury of being handcuffed salary-wise with Demidov and Hutson’s contracts coming up, and let’s not forget that Suzuki, Caufield and Slaf are already making a good annual amount right now.

I love Sam Bennett… but not at $10 million a season.

And even if the salary cap is going to increase considerably over the next few years!

Overtime

– I like this.

– That makes sense.

– Can this really help?

– It’s going to be different…