June 21, 2025
This past week, the Stanley Cup for the 2024-25 NHL season was hoisted by the Florida Panthers. As is tradition, the Conn Smythe Trophy for the most valuable playoff performer was also awarded. Unsurprisingly, Sam Bennett was the guy.
Bennett is in the last year of his current contract and can become an unrestricted free agent on the first of July, but that outcome is unlikely. Both player and team want to extend Bennett’s time in Florida, and a new deal seems both inevitable and imminent.
Should Bennett hit free agency, every team in the NHL would love to add him. The Montreal Canadiens are a team that should be desperately seeking such a player.
What’s the big deal about Sam Bennett?
This was a career season for Bennett. He had 25 goals and 26 assists and was a -15 on a very good team. Yes, you read that right. He turned 29 this week and his best season point total was 51. What’s so special about that?
We all know points don’t tell Bennett’s story, because in addition to scoring 51 he is also solid at 200 feet, uses every ounce of his size to create space for his skilled teammates, and elevates his game for the playoffs. He just scored 15 goals en route to the Cup, and was a thorn in the side of his opponents every step of the way.
Sam Bennett is a big deal, and it’s unlikely anyone but Florida will get to sign him this summer.
How do you find a guy like Sam Bennett?
Bennett has not always been this version of himself. He was drafted fourth overall by Calgary in 2014, but never really found his place there. In 2021 he was finally traded to the Panthers for a second round pick and Emil Heineman. In Florida he has found his perfect fit, and now he wears two Stanley Cup rings.
The trick to finding the next Sam Bennett, apparently, is taking a chance on a player that might have that skill set but is not currently playing in his perfect fit.
Who are some guys the Habs should be looking at?
Jack McBain, Utah Mammoth, Restricted Free Agent
McBain is a 25-year-old left-shot centreman who has played 241 NHL games over four seasons. His career high is 27 points, which is not that different from Bennett’s numbers pre-Florida. He’s a big man, at 6’4” and 219 pounds, and uses his size wisely in front of the net and in board battles. He plays a solid 200-foot game and is improving in the faceoff circle, hitting 49.9% this past season.
There is no guarantee that McBain can become Bennett, of course, and if there were he’d never be available. He might not be as is. But he’s already 3C quality and would bring a dimension the Habs lack. Could he be pried out of Utah by trade or offer sheet with the hope that he can reach another level?
Mason McTavish, Anaheim Ducks, Restricted Free Agent
This kid is surely in the Sam Bennett mold, and there is no secret about it. I can think of no good reason why the Ducks would be willing to trade their 22-year-old left-shot centreman who is a 6’1” and 219 pound power forward.
But there are a lot of kids in Anaheim and management is reportedly in the UFA market looking for some veterans to surround the kids and move the team along. I suppose there is a small chance that the right overpay on an offer sheet could get it done? This kid would be worth it, in my view. He is exactly what the Habs need.
Nick Paul, Tampa Bay Lightning, Under Contract
Paul is the player the Habs should have pursued five years ago, but it was Tampa Bay who saw his value and was willing to pay the price. Paul has four years left on a seven-year deal that carries a cap hit of $3.15 million. He’s 30.
Paul is big and strong at 6’3” and 225 pounds, and he scored 41 points for the Lightning this year while also bringing a physical edge and hitting 50% in the circle. He’s not really a 2C, but imagine him clearing space for Ivan Demidov and another scoring forward like Jason Robertson. I can’t see why Julien BriseBois would move him, but he’s done stranger things.
Kirby Dach, Montreal Canadiens, Under Contract
Is it possible the Habs already have their Sam Bennett? In his first season in Montreal he did show that he can put up points, scoring 38 points in 58 games. He’s big and strong on the puck, and has shown glimpses of physicality.
Injuries have plagued Dach, but if he can stay healthy, is there any reason to believe that he couldn’t be the space creator that adds offence between two scoring wingers? Does he have enough of Sam Bennett in him to do that from the wing if the Habs can find the centreman they want?
It’s too early to give up on Dach, and I suspect Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton know it.
We’re six sleeps away from the draft. Business is about to pick up. Here’s hoping the Habs get in on it.
Hab At Her 