Fantasy Impact: Panthers Acquire Sam Bennett
Dobber
2021-04-12
The Florida Panthers have acquired forward Sam Bennett from the Calgary Flames for prospect Emil Heineman and a 2022 second-round draft pick.
The Panthers get: A hard-hitting player with some upside, who really steps up his game in the postseason. And it's clear that the Panthers want to go deep, as they've designed their deadline moves accordingly. Bennett is a former fourth overall draft pick and he is still only 26 – in his prime. Last year in the playoffs he had eight points in 10 games (five goals). The year before he had five points in five games. Before that – two goals in four games. It certainly wasn't his fault that the Flames never went anywhere. In the regular season he is steady as a 25- or 30-point player who racks up 130 Hits. Perhaps a new team and fresh start can push him higher offensively.
The Flames get: a prospect who was drafted 43rd overall last year in Heineman (fantasy scouting profile here) and a good draft pick.
Fantasy Players Impacted: I think Bennett will get a chance at center in the top six at first, to see how he does. That knocks Alexander Wennberg out of the top six where he was miscast anyway. Bennett has had a million chances in the top six and has only shown flashes. Perhaps different linemates will work better? Would his banging style work well with Patric Hornqvist and Jonathan Huberdeau?
Potential line combinations:
Nikita Gusev Aleksander Barkov Carter Verhaeghe
Jonathan Huberdeau Sam Bennett Patric Hornqvist
Frank Vatrano Alex Wennberg Anthony Duclair
Eetu Luostarinen Noah Acciari Mason Marchment
Juho Lammikko Lucas Wallmark Owen Tippett
In Calgary I think you will see a bump in the ice time of both Andrew Mangiapane and Dylan Dube, plus Derek Ryan gets back into the lineup.
Fantasy Players This Helps, In Order:
- Sam Bennett
- Dylan Dube
- Andrew Mangiapane
- Derek Ryan
Fantasy Players This Hurts, In Order:
- Alex Wennberg
- Noah Acciari