Quote:
Originally Posted by dammage79
Oh, I'm sure Bennett would want assurances of his planned usage before putting ink to paper in returning to the Flames.
He only wanted put because he felt misutilized by the coaching carousel he went through prior to finally clicking with Sutter.
Other than that, I'd love to see Bennett back. He was a favorite of mine. But it also doesn't add up that the Flames should want him back with any sort of gusto like it has been reported by the biggest media heads around the Flames.
Say that Kadri does stay, then you're lining up at center
Kadri
Bennett
Frost
Backlund.
That removes Rooney and keeps Zary (I still think he's a center in the NHL than a winger) at wing. Which leaves the wings even more stacked on the left side with Pops, Zary, Sharkbait, Farabee and Lomberg. No room for graduates.
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If you think people are complaining now about potentially re-signing Andersson, I can only imagine how things will look here in a couple of years with 37 year old Kadri and 31 year old Bennett eating up $14+M of the cap.
I do not see how this is at all a good idea for the direction the team is going. I would rather see Bourque come in on a $3.5M contract.
Start the season with either Bourque on 4C or riding Backlund's wing:
Kadri (35yo)
Frost (26 yo)
Backlund (37 yo)
Bourque (24 yo)
By the end of the season Bourque likely passes Backlund (hopefully with the help of Backlund's mentorship). Then in a couple of years you have a chance of either Frost and/or Bourque passing Kadri while the team tries to bring some new rookies online.
If Bourque fails to climb then you let him walk in a couple of years without it hurting your salary cap situation but if Bennett fails to be what he is on the Panthers right now... you are stuck with another big contract eating up cap space.