The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed their 2010 first-round draft pick, forward Beau Bennett, to a three-year entry-level contract, it was announced today by executive vice president and general manager Ray Shero.
The deal begins with the 2012-13 season and runs through the 2014-15 campaign.
Bennett, 20, became the highest-drafted California native to be selected in the NHL Draft when he was chosen by the Penguins with the 20th overall selection in 2010. The Gardena, Calif. native has spent the past two seasons at the University of Denver, where he has accumulated 38 points (13G-25A) in 47 collegiate games.
The 6-foot-1, 190 pound Bennett got off to a good start this season with the Pioneers by tallying four goals, nine assists and 13 points through 10 games – before his season ended prematurely due to a wrist injury. Bennett was a member of the All-WCHA Academic Team.
As a freshman last season, Bennett notched nine goals and 16 assists for 25 points in 37 games. Bennett closed the season strong with a six-game assist/point streak from March 4-19.
Before joining the Pioneers, Bennett played one season with the Penticton Vees of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) in 2009-10. Bennett was named Interior Conference Rookie of the Year after tying for the BCHL scoring title with 120 points (41G-79A) in 56 contests. He added 14 points (5G-9A) in 15 postseason games.
edit:
Dave Molinari @MolinariPG
Bennett deal: 3 years, avg. salary-cap hit believed to be $840,000.
Dave Molinari @MolinariPG
NHL cap hit on Beau Bennett's 3-year deal actually is $900,000, not $840,000.
Dave Molinari @MolinariPG
Beau Bennett's $900,000 NHL cap hit breakdown: $810,000 salary, $90,000 signing bonus. Minor-league salary is $67,500.
Last edited by MrBurgundy: 04-13-2012 at 02:40 PM.
I wonder if Kuhnhackl will sign as well... He could go back as an overager, but the team may just want to get him here and start developing him to fit into our system.
Frankly, I'm a bit surprised that the Pens signed him, considering that Beau only played in something like ten games this season due to the wrist injury.
Frankly, I'm a bit surprised that the Pens signed him, considering that Beau only played in something like ten games this season due to the wrist injury.
Best of luck to him regardless.
Yeah I guess it could have went either way. He showed some promise at the beginning of the year, and he did bulk up which was his main goal when selecting to go the college route. The organization probably thought it was best to get him acclimated to our style of game than let him dominate in college next season.
That makes me wonder what the plan for Kuhnhackl might be now, since they are kind of in the same boat (not completely but there are some parallels).
I wonder if Kuhnhackl will sign as well... He could go back as an overager, but the team may just want to get him here and start developing him to fit into our system.
The wrong hockey move and a stupid song, but congrats Bennett on your new contract.
Why? He was putting up good numbers in college hockey. I see little difference in him staying there or playing in WBS except that in WBS he gets to get used to the Penguins system sooner, which imo is only a good thing.
Why? He was putting up good numbers in college hockey. I see little difference in him staying there or playing in WBS except that in WBS he gets to get used to the Penguins system sooner, which imo is only a good thing.
He played all of 10 games. Yes, he put up good numbers, but that's also a lousy sample size. And he'll be trying to move up a level (or two, if he goes straight to the AHL) while coming off an injury.
A week ago, everyone on the prospect thread was sure he'd be going back to DU, and even more sure that he should be going back to DU. Everyone was right then. Flip-flopping because someone made the wrong move is not a good way to be right.
