Islanders: Sam Bennett Sets Market For Anthony Beauvillier

Sam Bennett of the Florida Panthers signed a four-year $17.6 million ($4.4 million AAV) deal today. While on the surface you may be wondering what that has to do with the Islanders, comparatively, this may be a good reference point for Anthony Beauvillier.

When looking at Sam, he plays down the middle for the Panthers and found a nice home on their second line last year. In just 10 regular-season games with them, he put up 15 points (6 goals, 9 assists).

He was also excellent for them in the playoffs as well, having five points in five games. Last year was his most productive year in the league, pacing out to 47 points over a full season.

Comparatively, he put up pretty similar numbers to what Anthony Beauvillier did last season. Beau had 28 points (15 goals, 13 assists) in 47 games played. That’s a 49 point pace with a 26 goal pace.

The difficult thing for Beau has been and seemingly always will be consistency. One minute he can look like a 55+ point player and then the next, he’s back to that 25-30 point player we saw in 2018-2019.

Over the last two seasons, Beau has 67 points (33 goals, 34 assists) in 115 games played. Which would average out to a 48 point and 24 goal season. Unlikely Bennett, he doesn’t play down the middle anymore so while the production is better does that mean he will be in the same ballpark AAV-wise?

I think so. He’s a solid middle-six player, and since he’s a year younger than Bennet perhaps they go with something in the five-year range and at $4.25 million – $4.75 million range.

The hope is that Anthony continues to be that great playoff performer while getting a little more consistent during the regular season. The Beau – Nelson – Bailey line should be back in 2021 so that, at minimum, should help the chemistry to be there.

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Expect to see some movement this week with the Islanders RFA contracts. Looking at what Bennett just got, you can probably assume Lou Lamoriello will end up in the same ballpark on Anthony Beauvillier.