Sam Bennett is definitely an interesting option for the Canadiens

Bennett also plays heavyweight hockey, he’s a hard-to-pack guy who could bring an extra element of toughness to the Habs, something they sorely lacked in their series against the Capitals.

What’s more, at 28, Bennett is a more attractive option than many of the other center players who will be available this summer and who are likely to slow down in the years to come, and whose contracts could quickly age badly.

Players like Claude Giroux at 37, Brock Nelson at 33 and even John Tavares at 34 are at an age when their potential production becomes difficult to evaluate.

Let’s just say I’d be less worried about the Canadiens signing a player like Bennett to a multi-year contract.

Of course, there’s always the risk of overbidding on the free agent market, and you have to wonder how much the center will want if he’s in the last year of a four-year, $17.7 million contract, averaging $4.425 million a year.

While Bennett can expect a substantial salary increase, I don’t think Habs management will want to offer him more than Nick Suzuki, who earns $7.875 million a year. How much could Kent Hughes offer him?

However, I have every confidence that management won’t overpay if they decide to make an offer to Sam Bennett.

Overtime

– Really?

– The goalies take care of the show.

– Already!

– Big basketball!