The Florida Panthers are trading a 2022 second-round pick and Emil Heineman to the Calgary Flames for Sam Bennett and a 2022 sixth-round pick.
Sam Bennett
Sam Bennett, 24-years-old, is a former 4th overall pick by the Calgary Flames in the 2014 draft. The forward out of Richmond Hill, Canada has played in 38 games this season, gathering eight assists and four goals (12 points). In his career (402 games), Bennett has 67 goals and 73 assists (140 points).
While his regular season stats may not stick out, Bennett has been amazing during the postseason. In over 30 career playoff games, the 24-year-old has recorded 19 points (11 goals and 8 assists). Those numbers led Calgary in many categories.
Bennett will be a restricted free agent at the end of this season. He currently has a cap hit of $2.55 million, after signing a two-year, $5.1 million deal.
“Sam is a skilled and versatile forward who plays the game with a great level of competitiveness, physicality and leadership,” Panthers general manager Bill Zito said. “He is a young player who possesses solid experience in the postseason and will be an exciting addition to our lineup.”
Emil Heineman
Emil Heineman, a Swedish winger, was drafted by the Florida Panthers with the 43rd overall pick (2nd round) in the 2020 NHL Draft. Heineman, 19-years-old, has played 43 games overseas (Leksands IF of the Swedish Hockey League), posting seven goals and six assists (13 points). The solid two-way player appeared in five games at the 2021 World Junior Championship in Edmonton and scored one goal.
Player Profile
A goal-scoring winger who plays a very good 200-foot game. A very good skater. Not afraid to play the body. Great on-ice effort level. Very good by the boards. Lacks high-end offensive tools but projects to become a good complementary winger at the NHL level.
Other Florida Signings
- Panthers sign forward Nikita Gusev to a one-year, one-million-dollar deal.
Coach Q hinted that Gusev might be put in a very good spot to start during his debut: “He can play with good players. He gets an opportunity, maybe right off the bat. We’ll see how he handles it, and then we’ll find out. You’ve got some good options with him in the lineup.”
- Buffalo Sabres trade defenseman Brandon Montour to Florida for a third-round pick.
Montour on joining Florida’s playoff push: “I just want to end on a good note. These guys are having success and doing well this year… I just want to join that and keep the train rolling. The playoffs are around the corner. I’m just having that itch to get back in.”
- Panthers acquire Lucas Carlsson and Lucas Wallmark from Chicago. In return, the Blackhawks received Brett Connolly, Henrik Borgstrom, Riley Stillman and a 2021 seventh-rounder.
Montour and Gusev are expected to play on Thursday in Tampa. Bennett’s debut will likely come later.