[Nelson]

Originally Posted by CsInMyBlood

My goodness the legend of Sam Bennett now has him as a better two way forward than Micheal Frolik?

Also I'm sick of Bennett apologists acting like he has crappy linemates as to the reason why he cannot do anything. The line of Tkachuk-Backlund-Bennett was the 4th most used line combo at even strength for the Flames last season.

17.74% EV GAUDREAU,JOHNNY - LINDHOLM,ELIAS - MONAHAN,SEAN
9.58% EV BACKLUND,MIKAEL - FROLIK,MICHAEL - TKACHUK,MATTHEW
4.99% EV HATHAWAY,GARNET - MANGIAPANE,ANDREW - RYAN,DEREK
4.26% EV BACKLUND,MIKAEL - BENNETT,SAM - TKACHUK,MATTHEW
3.45% EV BENNETT,SAM - JANKOWSKI,MARK - NEAL,JAMES
2.15% EV BENNETT,SAM - CZARNIK,AUSTIN - JANKOWSKI,MARK
1.72% EV GAUDREAU,JOHNNY - MONAHAN,SEAN - TKACHUK,MATTHEW
1.56% EV BACKLUND,MIKAEL - CZARNIK,AUSTIN - TKACHUK,MATTHEW
1.50% EV BACKLUND,MIKAEL - NEAL,JAMES - TKACHUK,MATTHEW

Further to that, Sam Bennetts most frequent linemates last season were Tkachuk and Backlund.

21.76% EV BACKLUND,MIKAEL - BENNETT,SAM - TKACHUK,MATTHEW
17.60% EV BENNETT,SAM - JANKOWSKI,MARK - NEAL,JAMES
10.97% EV BENNETT,SAM - CZARNIK,AUSTIN - JANKOWSKI,MARK
4.01% EV BENNETT,SAM - NEAL,JAMES - RYAN,DEREK
3.47% EV BENNETT,SAM - GAUDREAU,JOHNNY - MONAHAN,SEAN
3.25% EV BENNETT,SAM - FROLIK,MICHAEL - RYAN,DEREK
3.04% EV BACKLUND,MIKAEL - BENNETT,SAM - NEAL,JAMES

I understand Frolik isn't happy and has asked to be moved. I'm just a little shocked at how underrated Frolik is being sold around here. This team isnt as good with him subtracted from the roster. Not only does he check the top opposing lines, he still manufactures points and is a big part of our PK. Not to mention the chemistry he has continually shown with Tkachuk and Backlund. He will be missed in many ways.

Okay, I should not have said Bennett was a better two-way player than Frolik. I stated that too definitively. Instead, I should have said the chart I posted suggested Bennett was a better two-way player. In reality, while you could argue that Frolik playing with Backlund and Tkachuk during 53.34% of his even-strength ice time should give him better on-ice results than Bennett, he does, in fact, have better results.

Nevertheless, I am not a Bennett apologist. In the past, I have criticized him when he has not played well. It is currently my opinion that he has improved. It is to the point where I don't think Bennett needs any apologists. He's a fine player. As long as we are not expecting offensive greatness from him in the way that Tkachuk, Monahan, or Gaudreau have provided, I think we can accept him as an effective middle-six option.

Moreover, I did not say that Frolik was a bad player. I like Frolik a lot, and I still think he is a good player. However, in the current environment, the Flames will probably have to trade away either Frolik or Brodie to become cap compliant. As I like both Frolik and Brodie, the Flames are going to have to get rid of a player I like.

Obviously, it would be way better if the Flames could get someone to take Neal or Stone, but I don't think that's going to happen without the Flames sending out valuable assets (I think the Flames need to start making more picks).