At some point in the next two years, Bennett needs to spend at least 40 straight games in the top 6, whether it's on wing or covering for injury at C. Once the bridge is up there can't be any doubt left about his ability. If he does only end up as a 3rd line C (he really, really shouldn't) that needs to be proven before the next round of negotiations.
I'm not sure the book would be written on Sam before he is 24/25.
However I think the MOST important thing this team can do this season as far as a way to get Sam going, is top PP minutes. Unless we sign Jagr he should be playing with the best unit and get him going. Him on the wing with JG/Monahan, along with 3M is fine for PP.
IF Jagr does sign, then throw Tkachuk on the LW of Jagr and Sam for the 2 PP, then come out with 3M after a power play while the other team rests its PK players.
In a way, Sam kind of needs to be gifted some linemates and opportunity. He's not yet ready to make others around him better on a major scale, so he needs a bit of a kick.
Anyway, this contract is an awful lot like Backlunds straight out of his ETC, no?