Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - Sam Bennett Value: Have the Flames held on TOO long? OR is he awesome?

Flash Walken · 11-12-2018, 03:52 PM

Frolik has 7 freakin' goals by the way.

Scratched or not, tied for 3rd on the team.

It's part of why I don't think Bennett is generating all that dangerous 'high danger scoring chances'.

He is putting pucks on net inside the home plate, no doubt, but the situation's where that is happening are generally pretty weak. One of the reason's I rate Dube ahead of Bennett is that Dube has shown he can actually use his linemates. Ripping down the wing and fluttering in a logo burner for a line change and a faceoff registers as a high danger play, but they are mostly individual efforts and they mostly don't result in anything because their quality as scoring chances is extremely low danger.

If you watched him in junior or watch a bennett junior highlight reel, you can see where the problem is:

He's an off the rush player who doesn't pass particularly well (ie. pass accuracy or speed), and who has a shot that is a relative muffin that takes forever to get off. Big Old School Denis Potvin type wrist shot.

This is his draft + 4 year, he has better linemates than he had last year and is being used in more offensive situations with a new coach. The season is nearly a quarter finished. Yet, he is on roughly the same offensive pace as he was after 18 games last year. It is really commendable how he has cut down on the minors, but 20 points is just not enough production for 13-15 minutes a night.

No doubt he will have a streak here where he scores the bulk of his season total in a 10 day period, but I question whether he is really even a 3rd line player. His production suggests he's better suited to 4th line minutes and second unit PK.

He is certainly playing better than last year, there's no question about that. But then what does that say when it translates to the same offensive production?

If it continues like this I don't know if the team can move forward with the player as contract negotiations are likely to become contentious; the team position will be Bennett doesn't warrant a salary increase. I can't see that being a tenable situation for Bennett's camp.

He might be in for the Nick Ritchie deal next year. Angling for term that keeps him in the league over salary.

11-12-2018, 03:52 PM	#1808
Flash Walken Lifetime Suspension Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: The Void between Darkness and Light Exp:	Frolik has 7 freakin' goals by the way. Scratched or not, tied for 3rd on the team. It's part of why I don't think Bennett is generating all that dangerous 'high danger scoring chances'. He is putting pucks on net inside the home plate, no doubt, but the situation's where that is happening are generally pretty weak. One of the reason's I rate Dube ahead of Bennett is that Dube has shown he can actually use his linemates. Ripping down the wing and fluttering in a logo burner for a line change and a faceoff registers as a high danger play, but they are mostly individual efforts and they mostly don't result in anything because their quality as scoring chances is extremely low danger. If you watched him in junior or watch a bennett junior highlight reel, you can see where the problem is: He's an off the rush player who doesn't pass particularly well (ie. pass accuracy or speed), and who has a shot that is a relative muffin that takes forever to get off. Big Old School Denis Potvin type wrist shot. This is his draft + 4 year, he has better linemates than he had last year and is being used in more offensive situations with a new coach. The season is nearly a quarter finished. Yet, he is on roughly the same offensive pace as he was after 18 games last year. It is really commendable how he has cut down on the minors, but 20 points is just not enough production for 13-15 minutes a night. No doubt he will have a streak here where he scores the bulk of his season total in a 10 day period, but I question whether he is really even a 3rd line player. His production suggests he's better suited to 4th line minutes and second unit PK. He is certainly playing better than last year, there's no question about that. But then what does that say when it translates to the same offensive production? If it continues like this I don't know if the team can move forward with the player as contract negotiations are likely to become contentious; the team position will be Bennett doesn't warrant a salary increase. I can't see that being a tenable situation for Bennett's camp. He might be in for the Nick Ritchie deal next year. Angling for term that keeps him in the league over salary.