I think almost all off CP agrees the Flames #1 need is a top 6 RW who shoots right handed. Why I feel Sam Bennett is the guy that needs to go isn't because I don't think he has value I just don't see him ever filling that role.
How do we add a top 6 RW with our cap space? I doubt we can land one on an ELC or a steal of a deal. So cap space is needed. Where do we get cap space without creating a hole elsewhere? IMO it's Sam Bennett (assuming Lucic is not tradeable).
Ryan could be tradeable and his cap space could help get a deal done but I don't think Bennett will be happy taking a 4th line role. Ryan is fine with it and his contract expires after this season. Removing Ryan and replacing him with a vet center for about $1 mil and removing Rittich and replacing him for about $1 IMO does not hurt this team. Removing Bennett and replacing him with one of our prospects does not hurt this team. The cap space allows this team to target a top 6 RW. I can live with the Reider's Rinadlo's Simon's Nordtsrom's of this league if we can add a top 6 RW without removing any of our d, Markstrom or any of our top 6 forwards.
Sam Bennett is an RFA who is already over paid because of where he was drafted and his QO already is probably too much for what he brings. If I was Treliving I have no idea how I'd handle that new contract and he is a risk to be lost for nothing anyways. It's time to move on even if we can't get that top 6 RW the same day we move him. I just don't see this team missing him that much
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