[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

For every player and under every circumstance? once again, I'm not saying that it is a mistake for the Flames to return Bennett to the OHL, but do think it would be short-sighted to send him back without a clear test of his ability to compete in the AHL or NHL. further, I have argued that the more time Bennett spends with the Flames in his recovery is better for him, given the access to team facilities, trainers, doctors, and coaches.

The time to test his ability is long gone. Tests take place in the pre-season, not in the heat of a playoff race. Bennett hasn't played a shift of hockey for four months. We've seen how seasoned professionals struggle to find their legs and deal with the pace of the game when they come back from injury. It is a different game and a different pace than when he impressed in those two exhibition games four months ago. It would be unwise to test an unproven player at this point in the season, not only from a player risk point of view, but also a risk to the team's results.

I absolutely agree with this, but where Sutter and I differ is in the blanket assumption that Bennett cannot be successful playing professional hockey now. I'm not convinced.

Sutter, a former 4th overall draft pick like Bennett, has a wealth of personal and professional experience to rely upon when it comes to making these assumptions. He knows what it is like to try and break into the NHL as a young player and he knows what it is like to try and come back from injuries. As a scout he has observed the development of a number of players we can't begin to comprehend. I think he has a little more insight than you, and his judgment holds a little more value in this discussion.

What does Nugent Hopkins have to do with Sam Bennett? Two different players. Two different teams. Two totally different situations. Two different points in the season.

They are similar players in many ways. Both high end draft picks who were/are physically immature compared to the competition. RNH was more of a pure skill player while Bennett plays with more of an edge, but their physical make up is the most important thing to consider. Bennett is still a skinny little kid. One that doesn't shy away from contact. He's going to put himself in positions to get physically abused, which RNH didn't. Why risk greater injury at this point?

We sure can if he is wrong about Bennett. Or is every player, scout and parent always right in every hockey decision he makes?

And what happens if he is right on Bennett? You risk Bennett's health and his development by throwing him into the deep end. Can you imagine the #### storm that would have resulted if Bennett got the Jones treatment from big Buff at the end of the second period last night, and was hurt as a result? Is that really worth while when you can just show some patience and see the kid in prospects camp in six months, after he eases his way back into competitive hockey where he has already established a baseline of success where you can better measure his performance and growth? Give the kid a chance to go back to junior and get his legs under him, put on some weight, strength and muscle, and then come back in the fall when he's 100% healthy and in a better position to compete. As he currently stands, he's four months behind the best players in the world.

The biggest question in this whole decision is what is the gain by inserting Bennett into the lineup? Is he going to add something the Flames are missing? Is he going to lead to some success that is unlikely without him? What do the Flames have to gain versus what do they have to lose? They gain very little by inserting him into the lineup right now, but if they do, they risk ####ing up the best prospect this team has ever drafted. That would be an epically bad decision when you consider how little the team could potentially gain by rushing a player along.