STL fan in MN wrote: ↑13 May 2025 14:35 pm
I’m on the fence with a player like Sam Bennett. On one hand, he’s a heck of a player, especially in the playoffs. But here are some concerns.
•He’s going to get paid bank. He is perhaps the player most likely to get paid too high of an AAV and/or too long of a term this summer. A 6 year deal would be buying his age 29-34 years. The max 7 and it takes him to age 35. Lots of miles on him already. I just don’t see him aging well.
•His career high is 51 pts. He’s eclipsed 41 twice ever in his career. He is no offensive dynamo. His value would be more in the style of game he plays.
•He was somehow -15 on a Panthers team that had a +29 goal differential this year. How is that even possible? I’ll be the first to say +/- can be a flawed stat but that’s an insane outlier.
•I just don’t like the guy. Again, I’m on the fence here though. I absolutely love those plays with an edge types of players but this one goes over the line constantly. In terms of being dirty he’s probably worse than Kadri and there’d be a riot if the Blues ever signed/traded for Kadri.
•I see the need for an upgrade at 2C but would prefer one that’s not going to require a 6-7 year contract. Dvorsky won’t be ready for the 2C role next season but I also don’t want to completely block him.
Would signing him instantly make the Blues better? Yes. Would it be a good idea though? No, probably not IMO. This would be a big risk and I’d prefer the Blues spend their money elsewhere to try to find an upgrade.
I think im leaning the same way you are, 7 rs, $7 million for a 45-50pt guy idk about that. He will provide 150 Hits ish, ok FO % lots of grit but i think given the Blues position i would look at a fringe 3rd/4th liner type Center for a lot less term and salary while we see what DD is.
Bennett is a 2C but id hate to regret that deal
STL fan in MN wrote: ↑13 May 2025 14:35 pm
I’m on the fence with a player like Sam Bennett. On one hand, he’s a heck of a player, especially in the playoffs. But here are some concerns.
•He’s going to get paid bank. He is perhaps the player most likely to get paid too high of an AAV and/or too long of a term this summer. A 6 year deal would be buying his age 29-34 years. The max 7 and it takes him to age 35. Lots of miles on him already. I just don’t see him aging well.
•His career high is 51 pts. He’s eclipsed 41 twice ever in his career. He is no offensive dynamo. His value would be more in the style of game he plays.
•He was somehow -15 on a Panthers team that had a +29 goal differential this year. How is that even possible? I’ll be the first to say +/- can be a flawed stat but that’s an insane outlier.
•I just don’t like the guy. Again, I’m on the fence here though. I absolutely love those plays with an edge types of players but this one goes over the line constantly. In terms of being dirty he’s probably worse than Kadri and there’d be a riot if the Blues ever signed/traded for Kadri.
•I see the need for an upgrade at 2C but would prefer one that’s not going to require a 6-7 year contract. Dvorsky won’t be ready for the 2C role next season but I also don’t want to completely block him.
Would signing him instantly make the Blues better? Yes. Would it be a good idea though? No, probably not IMO. This would be a big risk and I’d prefer the Blues spend their money elsewhere to try to find an upgrade.
All of this X 2,112.
Better ways to spend money than on a 40-point center too close to 30.
Blues are a much better team with him in the lineup. There are a lot of 50pt players out there that don't provide an ounce of what Sam Bennett does. Sometimes you gotta pay for intangibles too and Bennett has that.
STL fan in MN wrote: ↑13 May 2025 14:35 pm
I’m on the fence with a player like Sam Bennett. On one hand, he’s a heck of a player, especially in the playoffs. But here are some concerns.
•He’s going to get paid bank. He is perhaps the player most likely to get paid too high of an AAV and/or too long of a term this summer. A 6 year deal would be buying his age 29-34 years. The max 7 and it takes him to age 35. Lots of miles on him already. I just don’t see him aging well.
•His career high is 51 pts. He’s eclipsed 41 twice ever in his career. He is no offensive dynamo. His value would be more in the style of game he plays.
•He was somehow -15 on a Panthers team that had a +29 goal differential this year. How is that even possible? I’ll be the first to say +/- can be a flawed stat but that’s an insane outlier.
•I just don’t like the guy. Again, I’m on the fence here though. I absolutely love those plays with an edge types of players but this one goes over the line constantly. In terms of being dirty he’s probably worse than Kadri and there’d be a riot if the Blues ever signed/traded for Kadri.
•I see the need for an upgrade at 2C but would prefer one that’s not going to require a 6-7 year contract. Dvorsky won’t be ready for the 2C role next season but I also don’t want to completely block him.
Would signing him instantly make the Blues better? Yes. Would it be a good idea though? No, probably not IMO. This would be a big risk and I’d prefer the Blues spend their money elsewhere to try to find an upgrade.
All of this X 2,112.
Better ways to spend money than on a 40-point center too close to 30.
Blues are a much better team with him in the lineup. There are a lot of 50pt players out there that don't provide an ounce of what Sam Bennett does. Sometimes you gotta pay for intangibles too and Bennett has that.
He does today. But he’s also had a lot of injuries over the years. How confident are you he’d actually live up to the type of contract it will almost certainly take to get him signed? That’s my main concern. Might look good for a year or two but then turn into an albatross real quick.
STL fan in MN wrote: ↑13 May 2025 14:35 pm
I’m on the fence with a player like Sam Bennett. On one hand, he’s a heck of a player, especially in the playoffs. But here are some concerns.
•He’s going to get paid bank. He is perhaps the player most likely to get paid too high of an AAV and/or too long of a term this summer. A 6 year deal would be buying his age 29-34 years. The max 7 and it takes him to age 35. Lots of miles on him already. I just don’t see him aging well.
•His career high is 51 pts. He’s eclipsed 41 twice ever in his career. He is no offensive dynamo. His value would be more in the style of game he plays.
•He was somehow -15 on a Panthers team that had a +29 goal differential this year. How is that even possible? I’ll be the first to say +/- can be a flawed stat but that’s an insane outlier.
•I just don’t like the guy. Again, I’m on the fence here though. I absolutely love those plays with an edge types of players but this one goes over the line constantly. In terms of being dirty he’s probably worse than Kadri and there’d be a riot if the Blues ever signed/traded for Kadri.
•I see the need for an upgrade at 2C but would prefer one that’s not going to require a 6-7 year contract. Dvorsky won’t be ready for the 2C role next season but I also don’t want to completely block him.
Would signing him instantly make the Blues better? Yes. Would it be a good idea though? No, probably not IMO. This would be a big risk and I’d prefer the Blues spend their money elsewhere to try to find an upgrade.
I think im leaning the same way you are, 7 rs, $7 million for a 45-50pt guy idk about that. He will provide 150 Hits ish, ok FO % lots of grit but i think given the Blues position i would look at a fringe 3rd/4th liner type Center for a lot less term and salary while we see what DD is.
Bennett is a 2C but id hate to regret that deal
You talk about Sam Bennett and only address him with regular season stuff? That’s funny.
He’s a big reason Tesm Canada won. Big reason Florida won the Cup
STL fan in MN wrote: ↑13 May 2025 14:35 pm
I’m on the fence with a player like Sam Bennett. On one hand, he’s a heck of a player, especially in the playoffs. But here are some concerns.
•He’s going to get paid bank. He is perhaps the player most likely to get paid too high of an AAV and/or too long of a term this summer. A 6 year deal would be buying his age 29-34 years. The max 7 and it takes him to age 35. Lots of miles on him already. I just don’t see him aging well.
•His career high is 51 pts. He’s eclipsed 41 twice ever in his career. He is no offensive dynamo. His value would be more in the style of game he plays.
•He was somehow -15 on a Panthers team that had a +29 goal differential this year. How is that even possible? I’ll be the first to say +/- can be a flawed stat but that’s an insane outlier.
•I just don’t like the guy. Again, I’m on the fence here though. I absolutely love those plays with an edge types of players but this one goes over the line constantly. In terms of being dirty he’s probably worse than Kadri and there’d be a riot if the Blues ever signed/traded for Kadri.
•I see the need for an upgrade at 2C but would prefer one that’s not going to require a 6-7 year contract. Dvorsky won’t be ready for the 2C role next season but I also don’t want to completely block him.
Would signing him instantly make the Blues better? Yes. Would it be a good idea though? No, probably not IMO. This would be a big risk and I’d prefer the Blues spend their money elsewhere to try to find an upgrade.
All of this X 2,112.
Better ways to spend money than on a 40-point center too close to 30.
Blues are a much better team with him in the lineup. There are a lot of 50pt players out there that don't provide an ounce of what Sam Bennett does. Sometimes you gotta pay for intangibles too and Bennett has that.
He does today. But he’s also had a lot of injuries over the years. How confident are you he’d actually live up to the type of contract it will almost certainly take to get him signed? That’s my main concern. Might look good for a year or two but then turn into an albatross real quick.
He skates very well with the heart of a lion. Everything has risk
Yes please. Our boys are tough enough, but he adds bigger also. Some guys know just how far they can go. Barrett Jackman, Jax comes to mind in knowing how far you can go. I'm not comparing, but Jax could punish opponents mercilessly, especially along the boards. I'm in also.
Army has always had a boner for this guy.
Not a fan.
Sammy B was -17 last year on Florida. -21 career.
12yrs 3 seasons with more then 20 goals. 2 seasons with more then 150 hits. Neighbours with 3 yrs in, has 1 less 20 goal season and one less 150 hit season. Almost the same guy. But 6yrs older and dirty.
I rather wait on the prospect (you know. This years Plan 4)
Then bring in another guy closing in on 30.
But like Bozac, and Krug, if Army likes him. He will be took to the wood shed, getting him.
STL fan in MN wrote: ↑13 May 2025 14:35 pm
I’m on the fence with a player like Sam Bennett. On one hand, he’s a heck of a player, especially in the playoffs. But here are some concerns.
•He’s going to get paid bank. He is perhaps the player most likely to get paid too high of an AAV and/or too long of a term this summer. A 6 year deal would be buying his age 29-34 years. The max 7 and it takes him to age 35. Lots of miles on him already. I just don’t see him aging well.
•His career high is 51 pts. He’s eclipsed 41 twice ever in his career. He is no offensive dynamo. His value would be more in the style of game he plays.
•He was somehow -15 on a Panthers team that had a +29 goal differential this year. How is that even possible? I’ll be the first to say +/- can be a flawed stat but that’s an insane outlier.
•I just don’t like the guy. Again, I’m on the fence here though. I absolutely love those plays with an edge types of players but this one goes over the line constantly. In terms of being dirty he’s probably worse than Kadri and there’d be a riot if the Blues ever signed/traded for Kadri.
•I see the need for an upgrade at 2C but would prefer one that’s not going to require a 6-7 year contract. Dvorsky won’t be ready for the 2C role next season but I also don’t want to completely block him.
Would signing him instantly make the Blues better? Yes. Would it be a good idea though? No, probably not IMO. This would be a big risk and I’d prefer the Blues spend their money elsewhere to try to find an upgrade.
All of this X 2,112.
Better ways to spend money than on a 40-point center too close to 30.
Blues are a much better team with him in the lineup. There are a lot of 50pt players out there that don't provide an ounce of what Sam Bennett does. Sometimes you gotta pay for intangibles too and Bennett has that.
He does today. But he’s also had a lot of injuries over the years. How confident are you he’d actually live up to the type of contract it will almost certainly take to get him signed? That’s my main concern. Might look good for a year or two but then turn into an albatross real quick.
Not my job to worry about the spend, he makes us a better team during those first 4 years of any deal...the last 3 years assuming its a 7 year deal, Steener will figure it out. This dude is an absolute stud of a gamer....granted the offense never came for him and I believe Calgary was to blame for that but he figured out his role in the NHL and he does it very well and when all else fails, he passed the Doug Gilmour test...Gilmour drafted him for Kingston.
Targeting Bennett isn't necessarily a bad idea. We certainly need an upgrade at 2C.
But he doesn't make Dvorsky expendable in any way. By the time Dvo is hitting his stride at the NHL level, Bennett will be in Schenn territory. He's a very good fit for a stop gap who eventually slides down the lineup, not as a replacement.
skilles wrote: ↑13 May 2025 14:09 pm
That seems like a weird logic to me, adding players is how you get to the next level isn't it?
I'd be ok with the idea of signing Bennett and trading Dvorsky in a package for Nemec.
I think when it comes to a guy like Bennett its probably more about whether he wants us than if we want him.
I would not trade Dvorsky, I would force the Blues into a "problem" where they have too many strong scoring centers.
I'm counting on Dvorsky to be on the Thomas track but he is seven years younger than Thomas.
So I see having all three as part of the plan.
Cahokanut wrote: ↑13 May 2025 14:57 pm
Army has always had a boner for this guy.
Not a fan.
Sammy B was -17 last year on Florida. -21 career.
12yrs 3 seasons with more then 20 goals. 2 seasons with more then 150 hits. Neighbours with 3 yrs in, has 1 less 20 goal season and one less 150 hit season. Almost the same guy. But 6yrs older and dirty.
I rather wait on the prospect (you know. This years Plan 4)
Then bring in another guy closing in on 30.
But like Bozac, and Krug, if Army likes him. He will be took to the wood shed, getting him.
The reason why we overpaid for Bozak was because he was literally our only option for 2C at the time. By most accounts they all thought the ROR deal wasn't happening anymore and the Blues still needed another Top 6 center. When the ROR deal came back we suddenly had a surplus down the middle, which proved to be huge.
britishblue wrote: ↑13 May 2025 14:40 pm
I guess you sign him with the idea he is your #2 center for maybe 2 years, after which Dvorsky takes that role and he drops down to the 3rd line.
I like him as a player, im just not sure i want the blues to be the team to overpay him in free agency.
We would be a very fun team to watch in the playoffs though.
I don't want to pay a 3rd line center 7+ million that is just an awful use of cap space.
britishblue wrote: ↑13 May 2025 14:40 pm
I guess you sign him with the idea he is your #2 center for maybe 2 years, after which Dvorsky takes that role and he drops down to the 3rd line.
I like him as a player, im just not sure i want the blues to be the team to overpay him in free agency.
We would be a very fun team to watch in the playoffs though.
I don't want to pay a 3rd line center 7+ million that is just an awful use of cap space.
You probably don't have to worry about it...there are going to be numerous teams interested in his services provided he doesn't resign with Florida. I'd love to have him and I don't care about the money, I just think he's gonna have a lot of options
STL fan in MN wrote: ↑13 May 2025 14:35 pm
I’m on the fence with a player like Sam Bennett. On one hand, he’s a heck of a player, especially in the playoffs. But here are some concerns.
•He’s going to get paid bank. He is perhaps the player most likely to get paid too high of an AAV and/or too long of a term this summer. A 6 year deal would be buying his age 29-34 years. The max 7 and it takes him to age 35. Lots of miles on him already. I just don’t see him aging well.
•His career high is 51 pts. He’s eclipsed 41 twice ever in his career. He is no offensive dynamo. His value would be more in the style of game he plays.
•He was somehow -15 on a Panthers team that had a +29 goal differential this year. How is that even possible? I’ll be the first to say +/- can be a flawed stat but that’s an insane outlier.
•I just don’t like the guy. Again, I’m on the fence here though. I absolutely love those plays with an edge types of players but this one goes over the line constantly. In terms of being dirty he’s probably worse than Kadri and there’d be a riot if the Blues ever signed/traded for Kadri.
•I see the need for an upgrade at 2C but would prefer one that’s not going to require a 6-7 year contract. Dvorsky won’t be ready for the 2C role next season but I also don’t want to completely block him.
Would signing him instantly make the Blues better? Yes. Would it be a good idea though? No, probably not IMO. This would be a big risk and I’d prefer the Blues spend their money elsewhere to try to find an upgrade.
Excellent points, all. One mitigator to your concern about blocking any player in the future is that this type of player, because he has Classic Ideal Playoff Value, could be moved down the road even toward the end of this contract.
britishblue wrote: ↑13 May 2025 14:40 pm
I guess you sign him with the idea he is your #2 center for maybe 2 years, after which Dvorsky takes that role and he drops down to the 3rd line.
I like him as a player, im just not sure i want the blues to be the team to overpay him in free agency.
We would be a very fun team to watch in the playoffs though.
I don't want to pay a 3rd line center 7+ million that is just an awful use of cap space.
By the time he is a 3rd line center what will the cap be then? 7M then might seem like 4M is now
