As many media members have commented, it is a strange deal for Bennett. In the past, restricted free agents that have had some struggles were afforded two-year deals in restricted free agency. Bennett, only gets one chance essentially, just by the nature of the deal.
It is a make-or-break year for the misused and fragile winger, and yes, I will use the term fragile liberally when it comes to Bennett. He has shown signs that he is a talented player, just look at the chemistry he built with Brandon Sutter late in 2014 and again in camp last fall. But he needs to remain on the ice; playing in only 70 games over the past two seasons. If he cannot stay healthy, he doesn't have a snowball's chance in hell with this organization after this season.
That being said, if he remains healthy, he needs to be utilized correctly. Is Bennett a top six talent? Perhaps, but he has not shown much chemistry with the likes of Malkin or Crosby over the past three seasons. The center he has shown the most promise with is Brandon Sutter, but it remains to be seen if Bennett will be able to skate with him this year either. For one thing, Sutter has been discussed as a possible trade piece for the Penguins, but more likely, Bennett gets scrubbed to the fourth line because Chris Kunitz and Pascal Dupuis are expected to flank Sutter this season.
Now, I have absolutely no problem with Bennett on the fourth line this season. The Penguins are going to get away from the prototypical top two lines of scoring, third line checking and fourth line of misfits and chaos. All signs point to the organization going with four scoring lines and letting each line strut its offensive prowess. So, if Bennett does have the scoring touch we think he can have, he should be able to post a few goals on this new set-up on the fourth line.
The biggest thing, besides health, is Bennett playing right wing. The Penguins have misused him since he made the big club, often casting him on the left wing when he is a natural right winger. He needs to play the right wing, no exceptions, no excuses. If he is healthy, he should be given every chance to succeed, and that begins with him simply playing the proper position. Time will tell.
#FreeFarnham Movement Gets Their Wish
Last week, the #FreeFarnham movement took another step forward when the Penguins re-signed the restricted free agent agent of chaos. Farnham inked a one-year deal worth 575K dollars.
I'll admit, it was fun to watch Farnham run around the ice during his brief stay in the NHL last season. He reminded me a lot of Matt Cooke, except he didn't score and wasn't a force on the penalty kill. Farnham is a ball of chaos, and you have to give it to him, he plays his role as an agitator and physical winger well.
Farnham has produced 14 points (7G-7A) in each of the last two season while playing in Wilkes-Barre. I don't see Farnham in a full time role, especially if the Pens are going with the "four scoring lines" approach they say they are, but I don't see him in Wilkes-Barre either.
Farnham had zero points in eleven games last year, he's not exactly a scoring machine. However, he is the perfect guy for games against Philadelphia, Boston and Washington, where the Penguins will need some goon in the lineup to better protect the likes of Crosby, Malkin, Kessel and Letang. Downie provided that last season, I'd expect Farnham to do it this season as the team's extra forward.
Finishing off the Roster
The most important thing, in my humble opinion, they need to do is build the fourth line.
There have been discussions that the Penguins will build the fourth line from within, using the likes of Bennett, Farnham, Swedish center Oskar Sundqvist, Bryan Rust or Scott Wilson. This is the cheapest option, but does it give the Penguins the scoring line they will require come the spring? I don't think so. I would love to see Sundqvist center the line, but he could do with a little more time in Wilkes-Barre first. I like Rust and Wilson, butI am not completely sold on them playing full time either. Beau Bennett, right now, is the only guaranteed player for the fourth line.
I think the Penguins need to add at least one more veteran for fourth line, specifically at center. One name that has been tossed around that I like is former Captial Eric Fehr. The 29-year-old Fehr is probably the Penguins best option for fourth line center. He made 1.5 AAV last season with the Caps, and has posted at least 10 goals a season in every season with the Caps, minus the lockout shortened year when he scored 9. I like Fehr's defensive game and he brings some offensive talent too. I also like how he could move up to the third line should something happen to Sutter and how he has a good track record playing with big stars in Washington. He would be the perfect fit at the right price.
Another name I would like the Penguins to consider, as they seem to every year at the deadline, is winger Sean Bergenheim. Not a prolific scorer, but Bergenheim has averaged at least twenty points a season in his eight year NHL career. The 31-year-old's best year came in 2013-14 with the Panthers, posting 29 points. He split time last year between Florida and Minnesota. Bergenheim would be the perfect fit for the Penguins fourth line left wing spot, and also on the team's penalty kill. Both Bergenheim and Fehr could kill penalties and both would be beneficial to Beau Bennett if healthy.
I think they are the two names the Penguins must explore going forward, but I won't be surprised if Rutherford and staff go with the likes of Sundqvist, Rust or Wilson on the fourth line.