2024-25 PO Thread

[PuckinUgly57]

Anyway, it's insane Free Agency begins in just 3 weeks. I like some of the guys out there, but how Sam Bennett has been playing, he now has 14 goals in this playoffs already, but has never had more than 50 in a regular season. They think this run has put him in the $10mil/year category, and that just feels like a franchise killer amount.

He was a B6 player in Calgary and not utilized properly at all. You don't go 4OA to be a B6 player (I digress, see Lewis, Trevor. But in his defense he went 17OA. That was a strong 1st round, 17/30 went on to have long/solid careers) and Florida is showing in the right environment and with right players it can work. That was such a steal of a trade for the Panthers, the dude in return for the trade (Heineman) just made the jump to the NHL full time this season so jury is out.

Bennett's play reminds me a lot of Gaborik in the 2014 POs, comes over and is OK but absolutely lit it up come April. He got some Conn Smythe votes that season too and then Dumbo signed him to that 7 year deal which didn't age well.

I don't see Bennett falling off like Gaborik did after, he was solid last POs and even more this POs. He's a huge part of that team and I can't see him going anywhere.

The $10 million seems like a lot for a guy who just broke 50 points for the first time but with the cap going up this may be the starting point moving forward for players like him.

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

Also style though. You do love the power forward aspect, but those guys can just fall off a cliff. Reminds me of names like Clarkson and Nathan Horton or dudes who just get that one injury, and are never the same. Get a little healthy, and try to play their old style, just getting hurt again forever. I actually wonder what Ekblad would command for salary. Beefing up the backend, and supplementing the forwards seems smarter than getting a guy like Marner. I would like Kuzmenko on a bridge deal, to see what he can do. Obviously I think Gavrikov is important. But you re-up Gavrikov and add another bigger/mobile defender, and then supplement with more forward depth. The Kings top 8 forwards were not the problem against Edmonton. Just shortening the bench to 8 forwards and just the 4 defense wore them out.

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

Brian Jeanpierre Jr. on Instagram: "YIKES #gameplay #nhl #stanleycup #edmontonoilers #floridapanthers #reaction"

1,450 likes, 37 comments - beezygames9 on June 10, 2025: "YIKES #gameplay #nhl #stanleycup #edmontonoilers #floridapanthers #reaction".

www.instagram.com

Kinda funny.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

The best part is during the introductions for the starting lineup, There are the 5 guys on each blue line while they do the intros, and guess who is the only other player on the ice (besides the Goalies)? Yes, Evander Kane is still warming up behind them in the dark. Comes out and gets two early penalties, and I believe 3 total. The final one being after Bouchard slashed the Panther player, and then as Kane skated by him, he gave him the ole stick the face while he was down. Wasn't super hard, but petty and cheapshot for sure. He ended up with a 2 and a 10 minute misconduct.

Sounds like Evander Kane. I just checked his stats and he will be 34 when the season starts, seems like he just broke into the league.

He was completely out of control in G3 and a huge reason why they lost, not surprised at his introduction behavior. Back in Winnipeg Byfuglien punched him in the face becasue he would show up in track suits on game day instead of a nice suit like everyone else - warned multiple times by the team. Add in his off ice behavior and he is just a cancer no matter what.

The Kings need players LIKE him but NOT him. He's a scumbag clown.