That hit is about as defensible as you can make it. I am fine with it. We need more of this.
I think the Flames are now a sparkling 7-1-1 when Sam drops the gloves. Please give him more excuses to go beat people up. Seriously.
0.6 second difference. A little stern gimlet stare perhaps, but that is borderline. This isn't a level of 'lateness' they can target for fine penalties to set precedence.
No targeting the head. No previous history of targeting the head.
Primary point of contact is shoulder to chest. Bennett leaned down to target the chest - not jumped up to get the head.
Sam was not blindsiding either. It was a clear head on approach that should have been avoided easily, had Simek been paying attention.
He still has the puck and is looking for a play in this below pic...
Simek was definitely not paying attention. Not Sam's fault.