As we continue to consider potential offseason reinforcements for the Detroit Red Wings, two compelling candidates had their fingerprints all over the Florida Panthers 6–1 demolition of the Maple Leafs in Toronto. That would be Sam Bennett and Brad Marchand, both of them pending unrestricted free agents.
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The broad case for acquiring each player is the same. Both Bennett and Marchand could bring hard skill and championship experience. Whether in February for Team Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off or this spring in the playoffs as the Panthers fight toward a second straight Stanley Cup, both players clearly have the skillset and mentality to thrive in hockey of the highest stakes.
Bennett can play at center or on the wing. He’s an excellent defender. Marchand is the league’s most infamous agitator but also a gifted playmaker, adept at pulling pucks off the wall and snapping them into dangerous areas. Like everything else about Paul Maurice’s Panthers, both are perfectly suited to playoff hockey.
That’s clearly what the Red Wings are after this summer, at least in part. The challenge is that those are two profiles every team in the NHL would also covet. Both players fit the mold of July 1 UFA overpays, especially if Florida can pull off another Cup run, the price tag will only go up. As it stands, AFP Analytics projects Marchand at a two-year, $5.1 million AAV contract and Bennett at a six-year $6.64 million a year deal.
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There is some reason for doubt about splurging on either player. With Bennett, it’s fair to wonder whether a player with a career high of 51 points ought to command such a robust contract. Meanwhile, at 37, Marchand is not just on the back nine of his career but a long way through it. Presumably he will be signing his last contract this summer.
However, there’s ample reason to see past those drawbacks. In Bennett’s case, value obviously stems from a lot more than just scoring (which could be acquired more cheaply elsewhere in the free agency), and Marchand is clearly showing that his scoring touch remains potent in a complementary role.
Both would be worthy free agent targets to help Detroit, if Steve Yzerman can get them at the right price.
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