I think Sam Bennett should play in the NBA. Take the season off and just play the playoffs. They don’t do that in the NHL

Brian Burke thinks very highly of Sam Bennett. Bennett was so bad at the 2014 draft combine that he couldn't even do a pull-up. And yet, Burkie drafted him at 4th overall anyway

It's a true story. Type in "Sam Bennett pull-up" into google and you'll see!

I remember the story back in 2014. After I saw what Burke did the Leafs via the draft, trades and free agency, he's the last guy that should be making hockey personnel decisions for a team.

IMO Bennett is going to be a UFA this summer. Any teams that has his rights isn't qualifying him at 2.55m

I really dislike Bennett but I think those returns are reasonable, giving him extreme credit for playoff production and perceived weakness in this draft.

Tell that to Kucherov

is Sam Bennett good now? i mean if you can get a 2nd i would take that and run but hes having an average year.... i wouldnt pay that much for him. 2nd would be someone paying for potential but hes been playing for 6 seasons..... maybe get a 3rd...?

Kucherov is cuz of the cap lol. Different situation

HEY! he's still recovering....on the ice.... playing hockey.... should be "really" ready by playoffs.

Bennett has underperformed in the regular season but he shows his true potential in the playoffs.

If there is a team that is looking to go far in the playoffs, Bennett could help that team take that next step.

It would not surprise me if the Penguins have asked about Bennett already and would be willing to pay a premium, considering that Burkie is running their front office.

i mean they paid a premium for Kappy and Zucker wouldnt surprise me ,

I can't see Pittsburgh spending a 2nd on a player that they would be exposing in the expansion draft. I also don't think Bennett is good. The majority of his playoff production the last two seasons came from the powerplay too, which isn't ideal when you want depth scoring.

Heinen is better than Bennett. Not sure about Grant but they're probably close.

All the reports say Pens arnt giving up the 2nd round pick next year.

I think the Pens are gonna move Riikola, Jankowski, and Sceviour.

Maybe Lafferty and E.Rodrigues. And maybe Pettersson. Maybe Zucker.

They arnt gonna get a ton in return except for Zucker and Pettersson. And Riikola and Lafferty have some value. Janko is a RFA and can be a bottom 6 and PK place holder. And if he plays well, he’s a cheap RFA re-signing. E-Rod and Sceviour are just expiring contracts that have little value.

Where did you see they would move Zucker? I haven't hear that. Seems very counterproductive to what they are trying to accomplish. Also, Burke and Hextall have made multiple comments about not trading the D because they like the depth they have.

Is Bennett better than Virtanen at least?

In all honesty?

Probably, I don't watch them enough to make the perfect call but imo they're close.

The Zucker/Geno combo hasn’t worked out at all. The line and both players looked bad together. ZAR looked better on Geno’s Left-side.

And it’s obviously gonna be McCann/Geno/Kappy on the 2nd line when healthy. Or should be.

And u can’t break up the Guentzel/Sid/Rust line. And 3rd line should be ZAR/Blueger/Tanev IMO.

And 4th line Zohorna/Gaudreau/Angello. I would like to see. Or OConnor/Gaudreau/Angello.

And E-Rod and Lafferty healthy scratches and give players rest.

I don’t see where Zucker fits in.

And ya, I doubt they trade Pettersson.

I can see them trading Riikola , I’m a fan though. I like Riikola. Would be a 3rd pairing D on most NHL teams. Plays both LHD and RHD equally well and they just rewarded him with that contract this offseason. I wish he was healthy and got a chance this year when our D was all hurt.

PO-Jospeh/Ruthwedel are good 7th-8th Depth D and Friedman plays both LHD and RHD as a RH shot. He plays his off-side a lot. That’s plenty of depth.

Again, I bet they trade, Riikola, Janko, and Sceviour. And just get a rental player or two back.
I doubt Zucker or Pettersson get moved. Or Lafferty and E-Rod.

It will probably be Guentzel/Sid/Rust, McCann/Geno/Kappy, Zucker/Blueger/Tanev, ZAR/Gaudreau/E-Rod.

Zucker is a guy that Sullivan absolutely loves. Hextall has made multiple statements, including in todays interview with Rorabaugh, that he doesn't want to trade away a player and take away from the team chemistry. He is looking to add, not remove. Zucker could be a candidate for trade after the expansion draft, when Ron and Burke are more likely to try and shape the roster their way, but I highly doubt he moves anyone from the active roster not named Jankowski/Sceviour.

As for lines, I'm actually very happy with what I'm seeing from the Zucker McCann Rodrigues line. That's a very solid line. I think you can experiment with Tanev Malkin Kapanen upon their return, adding the defensive forechecker in Tanev balances that line out. Then you have a 4th line of ZAR Teddy Gaudreau/Trade candidate.

ZAR looked great on Geno’s left side. So did McCann. I would like to see ZAR/Geno/Kappy