George Richards, FHN Publisher
The Florida Panthers made a big move on a slow NHL Trade Deadline day as they acquired forward Sam Bennett from the Calgary Flames as the clock ticked down.
Before the Panthers scored Bennett — who was the fourth pick in the 2014 NHL Draft which saw Florida take Aaron Ekblad first — the biggest move of the day was former Florida defenseman Dmitry Kulikov going from the Devils to Edmonton.
Other moves, such as Detroit sending Anthony Mantha to Washington, came out minutes later.
Florida sent a second round pick in 2022 and Emil Heineman, whom the Panthers took in the second round in 2020, to the Flames.
Bennett fits the mold of players GM Bill Zito has been acquiring since coming to Florida as the Panthers are betting a change of scenery will do wonders.
”We didn’t necessary plan this where guys had a similar trait,’’ Zito said. “But reflecting back, it seems like many of them do.”
And, Bennett should get a chance to continue elevating his game in the playoffs as he has done in the past with the Flames.
Bennett, 24, can play wing or center and has been playing a bottom-6 role with the Flames although he has moved up the lineup due to injury.
Florida was looking for some center depth and Bennett may slide in on the fourth line when he makes it south.
“He is a traditional fit, well, everywhere,” Zito said. “When I spoke to him briefly, I asked him where he likes to play. He chuckled and said ‘I can play anywhere. And I have!’
“So he is a guy who projects a little more wing than center, he has had more success there. But he can play across the spectrum, up-and-down. We’ll just have to see where the coaches play him.”
He had reportedly requested a trade from the Flames but recently said he was happy playing for new coach Darryl Sutter and hoped to stay in Calgary.
Calgary GM Brad Treliving did not want to get into the reported trade demand other than saying it had been dealt with.
Apparently.
“I have a good relationship with Sam, think a lot of the young man,” Treliving said Monday after the deadline passed.
“Certainly he felt … we had a long discussion today. I think if you could do things over in life, I know I probably got a few re-dos out there. Things could have been handled differently. I don’t put that on Sam.
“At the end of the day, Sam worked hard here. That was never an issue. I think he’s going to embrace a fresh start.”
Over his past six regular seasons, Bennett registered a team-leading 678 hits; his 169 blocked shots were second-most by a Calgary forward since 2015-16.
“Sam is a skilled and versatile forward who plays the game with a great level of competitiveness, physicality and leadership,’’ Zito said in a statement.
“He is a young player who possesses solid experience in the postseason and will be an exciting addition to our lineup.”
Bennett is in the final year of a two-year contract which pays him $2.5 million; he is a restricted free agent following this season and would have to be protected in the Seattle expansion draft or perhaps be selected.
“He fits into our plan because we can keep him a while,’’ Zito said. “This is a competitor, someone who can help this team.”
Based on there being a quarter of the season remaining, Bennett will be paid approximately $625,000 by the Panthers.
Bennett has four goals and 12 points in 38 games for the Flames in this his sixth NHL season.
Last year, Bennett had five goals and eight points in 10 playoff games for Calgary.
They call him “Playoff” Sam Bennett.
Bennett led the Flames in total playoff goals (11), even-strength points (11) and hits (107) over each of Calgary’s last four postseason appearances.
“I pride myself on showing up in big games,” he said, “and battling hard every night and I found a way to elevate a little bit in the playoffs.”
Aside from Bennett, Zito made a few deals in the days and weeks leading into the deadline.
Florida made a number of moves before the deadline including adding prospects Spencer Knight and Matt Kiersted, trading for Brandon Montour and signing Nikita Gusev.
The Panthers also swung a deal with Chicago on Thursday, sending Brett Connolly, Riley Stillman and Henrik Borgstrom to the Blackhawks for Lucas Wallmark and Lucas Carlson.
Monday, coach Joel Quenneville said Montour and Gusev were in South Florida and would meet the team in Tampa.
Those two will not play against Dallas on Tuesday, obviously, but Quenneville said both should be in Thursday against the Lightning.
Montour is ready to get going and jump onto a playoff team after a rough season in Buffalo.
“The playoffs are what its all about,’’ Montour said Monday.
“These guys are having success and doing well this year. I just want to join that and keep the train rolling.”
It also sounds like Quenneville is going to give Gusev, a skilled winger who struggled in New Jersey, the chance to play on one of Florida’s top lines.
With Anthony Duclair returning from a shoulder injury, the Panthers have a few more top-6 options it appears.
Whether Bennett cracks the top-6 or gives Florida even more options on its bottom two lines remains to be seen.
Florida may also make a few smaller roster moves which have not been announced yet.
To be eligible to play in the playoffs, a player must be on the roster by today at 3.