Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - [News] All-encompassing Bennett trade discussions thread

SeanCharles · 02-04-2021, 01:12 PM

It’s somewhat comical reading through this thread and seeing just how polarizing a player Bennett really is..

You got the crowd at one extreme that are likely bitter at how our highest draft selection has been so lacklustre and believe he is a 4th line/replacement level bum.

Then you got the crowd that says he has not been afforded enough opportunities and has been saddled with bums his whole career and would thrive if given an extended look with good players and in a stable role.

There is a middle group that likely have feelings similar to both sides but not to the same extremes.

I for one do not think Bennett is a 4th liner/replacement level player. I do think he could do better with given more opportunities and a stable role. But for me that role would have been 3rd line center behind Lindholm and Monahan.

The problem is we have Backlund here who has earned more goodwill with the organization with his strong play over the years.

I will be sad to see Sam go and the asset management side of me would rather us trade Backlund because he isn’t getting any younger and cap space is at a premium. But I am also realistic about all this and also love Backlund so would be perfectly fine to see him stay and Bennett go to another team and given a fresh start.

The main things for me are we have to make sure we get good value because there are aspects of his game that will be missed and what does this all mean in the expansion draft?

We aren’t trading Bennett for a Dman or goalie so it’s either a for a forward, for pieces we don’t need to worry about in expansion or it’s a larger deal. So if it’s for a forward is this forward just going to be exposed in a few months time?

I dunno what the answer is but I’m partly sad for our highest pick ever being dealt, partly worried about what does this do for expansion and partly excited for the trade return possibilities.

I just hope we get a player back that is worth protecting in expansion and ideally is a RHed shot who is young enough to contribute for a number of years.

02-04-2021, 01:12 PM	#1179
SeanCharles First Line Centre Join Date: Jul 2013 Exp:	It’s somewhat comical reading through this thread and seeing just how polarizing a player Bennett really is.. You got the crowd at one extreme that are likely bitter at how our highest draft selection has been so lacklustre and believe he is a 4th line/replacement level bum. Then you got the crowd that says he has not been afforded enough opportunities and has been saddled with bums his whole career and would thrive if given an extended look with good players and in a stable role. There is a middle group that likely have feelings similar to both sides but not to the same extremes. I for one do not think Bennett is a 4th liner/replacement level player. I do think he could do better with given more opportunities and a stable role. But for me that role would have been 3rd line center behind Lindholm and Monahan. The problem is we have Backlund here who has earned more goodwill with the organization with his strong play over the years. I will be sad to see Sam go and the asset management side of me would rather us trade Backlund because he isn’t getting any younger and cap space is at a premium. But I am also realistic about all this and also love Backlund so would be perfectly fine to see him stay and Bennett go to another team and given a fresh start. The main things for me are we have to make sure we get good value because there are aspects of his game that will be missed and what does this all mean in the expansion draft? We aren’t trading Bennett for a Dman or goalie so it’s either a for a forward, for pieces we don’t need to worry about in expansion or it’s a larger deal. So if it’s for a forward is this forward just going to be exposed in a few months time? I dunno what the answer is but I’m partly sad for our highest pick ever being dealt, partly worried about what does this do for expansion and partly excited for the trade return possibilities. I just hope we get a player back that is worth protecting in expansion and ideally is a RHed shot who is young enough to contribute for a number of years.