[Game Takes] Flames 4 Sabres 3

[Bingo]

http://www.calgarypuck.com/2015/12/g...es-4-sabres-3/

[Chingas]

Great write up as always. Thanks

[Jay Random]

Great writeup!

I disagree about Bennett, though. Yes, he took two penalties, but it can't be his fault that the rest of the team couldn't kill a penalty against a team of peewee roller hockey players who had never played together, never practised together, and never before set foot on this strange alien substance called ice. I mean, Bennett's second penalty, it took Ristolainen 3 seconds to score. Three seconds!!

[DeluxeMoustache]

Wasn't Hiller in net?

[Rick M.]

" The little wizard". I like that.

[Enoch Root]

Good write-up.

Very hard to blame Bennett on either call, both terribly weak. Even Gelinas commented on the post game show about how soft they were, and he NEVER goes there.

Also, at some point, you have to count on your PK to bail you out.

[Sample00]

Johnny Gaudreau is the type of player that we havent seen in Calgary for quite some time. This kid makes you get up out of your seat to watch him do what he does. What a talent!

There's been few games where I havent said, "Holy crap! How did he do that??"

Eichel and McDavid may be generational players but I think we might just have one here in Johnny Hockey! Personally, I think Gaudreau is way more fun to watch!

[FBI]

Bennett made a few excellent setups for Granlund along with the penalties so I'm able to forgive him

[Bingo]

I'm certainly not anti-Bennett, have loved his game in the last stretch despite the player being scoreless in his last 6 games.

Really see the guy about to explode which the team will need when the Monahan/Gaudreau line hits a rough stretch again.

[calgarywinning]

I myself was wondering if Bennett needed some time down below to tear it up and develop more. Not to say that we don't see the potential, just a development issue which needs to be addressed for the players sake.

[kirant]

Originally Posted by calgarywinning

I myself was wondering if Bennett needed some time down below to tear it up and develop more. Not to say that we don't see the potential, just a development issue which needs to be addressed for the players sake.

Sam Bennett, even with his stretch of "bad games" (if you can even call it that), is on an approximately 40 point pace. Not Monahan numbers at 19 years old but Bennett also doesn't get time with Gaudreau or Hudler on a career season. In my mind, it's quite incredible how fast he's developed...especially coming off that injury after being drafted.

Bennett has development points to work on for sure. He's not always strong enough to do what he actually wants to do and he could always work on his defensive game to generate turnovers (though he generates enough on the forecheck). But he's capable of playing top 6 minutes in Calgary and doesn't look bad in the bottom 6 spots either. I'm pretty sure he gets all the development time and attention that he could ever want and his points are quite indicative of incredible success at his age. Tearing it up in the OHL would make no sense and, if memory serves, he can't go to the AHL due to his CHL status if that's where you wanted to send him.

I feel he's very much in Monahan's position during his first year as a Flame: good secondary player in Calgary (Monahan was 2nd line centre?) and has the right personnel around him to develop his skills to become better in Calgary than elsewhere.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by kirant

Sam Bennett, even with his stretch of "bad games" (if you can even call it that), is on an approximately 40 point pace. Not Monahan numbers at 19 years old but Bennett also doesn't get time with Gaudreau or Hudler on a career season. In my mind, it's quite incredible how fast he's developed...especially coming off that injury after being drafted...

I agree with everything you say in your post, although it should be pointed out that Monahan's 19-year-old season was his rookie season. So, it actually looks to me like Bennett is right on track with Monahan's production at the same age.