Leafs Target Sam Bennett on the Verge of Signing Monster Contract, and We Have the Details

Sam Bennett has been one of the best players in the Stanley Cup playoffs. His Panthers are in the Finals and, after a loss last night, are tied at 2-2 with the Edmonton Oilers.

Both teams are two wins away from a Stanley Cup, and this is shaping up to be the best Finals in NHL history. However, in the midst of this, Bennett has business to attend to.

This summer, he is set to become a free agent, which means he can sign with whomever he wants. Of course, the Toronto Maple Leafs are interested and have been considered to be a frontrunner.

However, some new information from David Pagnotta suggests Bennett isn't going anywhere, at least night right now. Instead, the Panthers and Bennett are very close to a new deal.

As Pagnotta reports, the contract will be for eight seasons at an AAV of $8 million. This means the total value of the contract is going to be $64 million.

Ultimately, this is well short of the $10 million per season that was suggested by insiders just a few weeks ago. Clearly, that was an inflated and ridiculous number.

Bennett isn't even close to a point-per-game guy during the regular season, so $8 million per season makes a lot more sense.

That said, he is their best playoff riser, and if they win a second-straight Stanley Cup, Bennett might just get himself the Conn Smythe.

Only time will tell whether or not both sides can make this contract official and figure out a way to keep the playoff success going.