Mailbag: Panthers-Lightning playoff series, McDavid's complete game

Here is the May 12 edition of the mailbag. Each week, an NHL.com writer will answer your questions asked using #OvertheBoards.

The last two games between the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning have been very physical, to say the least. Do you see this type of play between them continuing in their Stanley Cup Playoff round? Are there any other playoff rounds that you see being as physical? -- @TrishTheMiddle
The Panthers and Lightning are two of the more physical teams in the NHL, surprising because they are also two of the top puck-possession teams. Florida is sixth with an average of 24.46 hits per 60 minutes and the Lightning are ninth at 23.84. What makes that stat jump out to me is the Panthers and Lightning are each in the top 10 in shot attempts percentage (Florida is fifth at 53.5 percent, Tampa Bay is ninth at 52.4) and the bottom four in blocks per 60 (Tampa Bay is 28th at 11.40, Florida is 30th at 10.86). They have the puck a lot yet generate a lot of hits, which speaks to their physicality and suggests they use it to get the puck back when they don't have it.
Their eight-game regular-season series backs that up. They were near even in shot attempts percentage (Tampa Bay 50.2 percent, Florida 49.8), hits per 60 (Tampa Bay 30.82, Florida 29.19), and blocks per 60 (Florida 10.73, Tampa Bay 9.60). The hits jump out. They were more physical than they were against any of the other six teams in the Discover Central Division. I expect nothing to change in their first-round series.
I anticipate both first-round matchups in the MassMutual East Division (Pittsburgh Penguins vs. New York Islanders, Washington Capitals vs. Boston Bruins) to be as physical. Those are four heavyweights loaded with size and experience.
Why does everyone continue to call Connor McDavid the best player in hockey? I can totally agree that he is the best offensive player. However, hockey is about more than just scoring, and I believe you cannot be the best player unless you excel in all areas. -- @bradchealey
You're right to say you can't be the best player in hockey unless you excel in all areas. You're wrong to suggest McDavid doesn't do that. He isn't a Selke Trophy candidate yet, but he's not a defensive liability. His improvement in key areas from last season to this season is notable.
The Oilers average 55.0 percent of their shot attempts when McDavid is on the ice at even strength, and he's plus-25. It was 47.7 percent last season when he was minus-6. He is better at face-offs, especially in the offensive zone, where he has won 54.8 percent compared to 45.9 percent last season. It's important for McDavid to win offensive-zone face-offs because it feeds his game to start with the puck. And then there are all the intangibles he has, most notably his dynamic speed with the puck. Nobody does it better. Nobody is more dangerous with the puck. Nobody transitions and attacks better. He's 24 and his game has evolved, including his offense. He's a complete player. He's the best player.
Will Sam Bennett sign with the Panthers after this season or is he going to go another team? -- @SamRitter8
Bennett is a pending arbitration eligible restricted free agent and the Panthers have the advantage to re-sign the forward. Why wouldn't they? He's been a difference-maker, scoring 15 points (six goals, nine assists) in 10 games, a Panthers record for a player in his first 10 games with them.
I still think the Panthers need to see how the playoffs go, but Bennett seems like a fit. Next season will be his seventh full season in the NHL, giving him the chance to become an unrestricted free agent in 2022. It makes sense for him to sign a one-year contract with Florida that could carry him into unrestricted free agent status. All the better for the Panthers if they can get him under contract for at least two years. They are in win-now mode, and Bennett helps them. His contract carries a $2.55 million NHL salary cap charge. He'll get a raise, especially if he has a strong performance in the playoffs, but it won't be a cap killer for the Panthers, who have the more pressing matter of trying to re-sign center Aleksander Barkov to a long-term contract extension. Next season is Barkov's last on a six-year contract he agreed to Jan. 26, 2016. He can become an unrestricted free agent in 2022 without a new contract.
Do you think now that Rick Tocchet is out as the Arizona Coyotes coach that Phil Kessel will accept a trade to a contender and, if so, will he be traded? -- @CoyotesAvs12
I think the Coyotes will explore trading Kessel. They likely would have done that with or without Tocchet as the coach. The fact that Tocchet isn't the coach anymore is an indication to me that the Coyotes are going to build around their youth and might want a younger coach who will grow with them.
The focus of this team is on forwards Clayton Keller, 22, Nick Schmaltz, 25, and Christian Dvorak, 25, and defenseman Jakob Chychrun, 23. Oliver Ekman-Larsson is 29 and the Coyotes captain is signed for six more seasons. Could they explore trading him too? Maybe, but I think looking into the market for Kessel makes a lot of sense. He's 33 and next season is the last year on his contract. If the forward stays in Arizona, he could be a rental option for a contending team next season unless the Coyotes are making a playoff run. They do not have a pick in the first round or third round of the 2021 NHL Draft after not picking in the first, second or third rounds in the 2020 NHL Draft. I'm not sure Kessel lands the Coyotes a first-round pick, but trading him will get them some much-needed draft picks.
Tell us about a player who played well above anyone's expectation this season. What does his future look like now? -- @theashcity
This is Chris Driedger for the Panthers and it's not even close. The 26-year-old goalie put himself on the map this season and set himself up to sign a multiyear contract as a pending unrestricted free agent by going 14-6-3 with a 2.07 goals-against average and .927 save percentage. The Panthers are not the No. 2 seed in the Central Division without Driedger. They needed a goalie to step up early in the season when Sergei Bobrovsky was struggling, and Driedger was 7-2-1 with a 2.18 GAA and .928 save percentage in 10 starts through Feb. 24. Bobrovsky was 5-2-1 but had a 3.18 GAA and an .889 save percentage in eight starts. Driedger started more games because he was better. He closed strong too, going 7-3-1 with a 1.70 GAA, .935 save percentage and three shutouts in 11 starts from March 20 through Monday, when he made 30 saves in a 4-0 win against the Lightning. He played his way into being a solid option.