Quote:
Originally Posted by Textcritic
I essentially agree with all of this, but I do want to quibble with the last point. I do not agree that the Oilers damaged Nugent-Hopkins by keeping him in Edmonton for the full season in his rookie year. The problem was that they foisted him into a top six role prematurely, and did not do enough to protect him once he did make the team. I honestly don't think he would be any better today if he had spent an extra year in Juniour, because Oilers. One could make the arguement that he would be a better player today if he played for literally any other team, but that is another matter.
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Here's where I need someone familiar with the CBA to help me out. If Bennett comes back and plays under 9 games with the Flames this year but he plays after the 40th Flames game do the Flames lose a year before Bennett can become a FA?
I'd love to see Bennett play a few games with the Flames this year but if it cost the Flames a year before he could become a FA, then maybe that would be something the Flames would have to seriously think about.
Who knows, maybe Bennett becomes a superstar and the Flames sign him to an 8 year extension after his ELC and this would all become a moot point.