Rumor: Sam Bennett to Toronto

According to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston the Toronto Maple Leafs are one of the teams that have contacted the Calgary Flames to check in on the availability of forward Sam Bennett. 

Bennett recently requested a trade out of Calgary and the 24-year-old could fit in nicely for the Maple Leafs on the team's fourth-line. While money is always the issue, the fact the Flames could deal Bennett within Canada and receive the return immediately is certainly appealing. As we saw with the Patrik Laine/Pierre-Luc Dubois deal, when you have to cross the borders lots can happen to delay debuts. Dubois still has yet to play for the Jets which should come early next week.

As for the return for Bennett, the trade would likely involve defenseman Travis Dermott and forward Pierre Engvall. The Flames would also need to retain a small portion of Bennett's deal, which only has this season left at a $2.55 cap hit.

The former fourth overall pick, Bennett was scratched on Thursday night which was an obvious sign the Flames are comfortable playing without him. With only one assist in nine games, it's been a season to forget for Bennett. Expect to see him dealt within the next week, and the Toronto Maple Leafs, at this point, are in the sweepstakes.

Photo credit: Brett Holmes/Icon Sportswire