Sam Bennett Value: Have the Flames held on TOO long? OR is he awesome?

[DropIt]

Not sure how a player can possibly be unlucky for 3 years.... seems more like he lacks finish and offensive vision

[dammage79]

I wouldn't say unlucky for 3 years. More like stiffled for 2 years.

He's doing all the right things on the ice. Hopefully he gets rewarded soon because he's been a positive impact in every facet of the game aside from scoring.

I'm thinking it may take a little longer to wash the gully stink off of his game but as far as expectations for Bennett this season goes, he has exceeded mine by a fair margin. From a guy that looked totally lost and dumbfounded last year this has so far been a quantum leap in development.

[SeanCharles]

Bennett needs a jolt of confidence to unlock his offense.

I still dont think you give up on a player as young as he is..

Play him with Tkachuk and see if they can develop some chemistry.

[VilleN]

I think Bennett is playing great, needs to score more, but he’s usually a force out there. Why don’t we like him?

[H2SO4(aq)]

Y’all gonna bury this poor kid. He’s fine. He’s tough as nails and has some terrible puck luck. It’ll come.

[VilleN]

I think Bennett is playing great, needs to score more, but he’s usually a force out there. Why don’t we like him?

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Frolik has two empty net goals and a bank shot from behind the net. I love the guy defensively, but he's shooting 22% on the season.

Don't let a fortuitous start confuse who the player is.

Having said that Bennett doesn't get a pass, he hasn't been productive. The high danger thing though is a count of inside homeplate in dangerous situations so it doesn't count muffins. You have to tip the puck or get a pass in that zone which I think is their way of qualifying the chance by an assumption of the goalie having to move.

If Bennett puts up 18 points I don't think his agent or camp will have a whole lot to stand on. Plus we've never seen a complaint out of the guy for ice time, linemates, or situations ... don't see him as a malcontent demanding a trade.

Originally Posted by jayswin

But Bennett doesn't even have a fortuitous start to put him ahead of Frolik. At least Frolik has the fortuitous start to his name.

7 goals, 2 game winners, 17 games.

Ritchie held out for 1.64 and he scored more points than Bennett did last year.

Janko scored 17 goals last year and is at 1.675.

Bennett is making 1.95 and is arbitration eligible after this season. That could be a very uncomfortable arbitration hearing if the Flames throw him an offer for 1.6 while they are ready to pony up 7 million for Tkachuk.

If Bennett wants a raise he's going to have to break the 35 point barrier.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

7 goals, 2 game winners, 17 games.

Ritchie held out for 1.64 and he scored more points than Bennett did last year.

Janko scored 17 goals last year and is at 1.675.

Bennett is making 1.95 and is arbitration eligible after this season. That could be a very uncomfortable arbitration hearing if the Flames throw him an offer for 1.6 while they are ready to pony up 7 million for Tkachuk.

If Bennett wants a raise he's going to have to break the 35 point barrier.

Pretty sure we agree.

[BigErnSalute_16]

Originally Posted by SeanCharles

Gaudreau-Monahan-Lindholm
Bennett-Backlund-Tkachuk

Leave that for a few games.

Came here to say this too, I think it would get the monkey off his back offensively and he can play in a defensive role too.

Plus Bennett takes the puck with speed and drives the net/ gets the puck to the net. Tkachuck is great in front of the net and would probably tip/ clean up a lot of Bennett's drives and shots.

Make this happen Peters!

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by btimbit

I also don't buy that he's just unlucky, good players make their own luck.

What you can make for yourself, by definition, is not luck.

[Dajazz]

Love me some Bennett, but man he’s got a muffin of a shot. He might have the worst shot on the team and that is not hyperbole. His wrister is super weak and as for his slap shot, I doubt he’d even hit the puck on a one timer.

He’ll be fine, he knows where to go to score. He’s physical. He can skate, deke, hit and is actually a decent passer. But Jesus, his shot.

His problem is that he can’t score from outside 4 feet of the crease, so he either forces a pass or tries to deke. Both make him look less than stellar.

Go practice your shot and shot timing young Sam. Look at Tkachuk, he focused on his shooting this summer and he’s so much more complete now where he is a threat everywhere.

So I don’t buy the luck argument. He’s a really poor shooter and he’s overcompensating for it.

[redforever]

Originally Posted by Dajazz

Love me some Bennett, but man he’s got a muffin of a shot. He might have the worst shot on the team and that is not hyperbole. His wrister is super weak and as for his slap shot, I doubt he’d even hit the puck on a one timer.

He’ll be fine, he knows where to go to score. He’s physical. He can skate, deke, hit and is actually a decent passer. But Jesus, his shot.

His problem is that he can’t score from outside 4 feet of the crease, so he either forces a pass or tries to deke. Both make him look less than stellar.

Go practice your shot and shot timing young Sam. Look at Tkachuk, he focused on his shooting this summer and he’s so much more complete now where he is a threat everywhere.

So I don’t buy the luck argument. He’s a really poor shooter and he’s overcompensating for it.

This is what he really needs.

[crapshoot]

I know it's a big let down from what we all thought he would be, but having Bennett playing the way he is at the moment is not a bad thing at all. I'm trying to not look at his pedigree but at the player he is, and he sure is making a difference with his play.

Also, if history is any indication he will have a few hot streaks going on throughout the season and probably end up in the 30 point range. I really don't mind that at all. I view him as an important player on the team even if he's not one of the top scorers, and I would love to see him elevate his play during the playoffs.

[Coach]

Bennett needs to develop an NHL release. I find his chances are often mitigated by a deflection, or check, or by just being a straight up soft chance.

If you watch elite shooters like OV and Stamkos, or even a guy like Neal (before this season apparently), they find a way to get that shot off and hard. They blow it through sticks and checks and get it off fast.

I just always find myself disappointed in the end chance from something that he develops nicely, usually by using his skating.

[soulchoice]

Originally Posted by Coach

Bennett needs to develop an NHL release. I find his chances are often mitigated by a deflection, or check, or by just being a straight up soft chance.

If you watch elite shooters like OV and Stamkos, or even a guy like Neal (before this season apparently), they find a way to get that shot off and hard. They blow it through sticks and checks and get it off fast.

I just always find myself disappointed in the end chance from something that he develops nicely, usually by using his skating.

Agreed on this. On many instances, he still tries to take a shot with the old heel to toe release, which takes time and is easily deflected or poke checked. Sammy needs to practice either his curl/drag and shoot off the toe of the blade or at the very least just use the toe of the blade for a quick release/snap shot if he isnt going to curl/drag to change the angle of the shot. That is how Kessel gets a majority of his goals.

I hope he is working on it. Not many players shoot with the heel to toe method anymore due to the composite sticks(not just pro, but hockey in general), so its very surprising to see him still attempt this.

[Phagoof]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPxcXk0zfQQ

What happened to Bennett? His confidence has just been killed, he looks so different in his rookie season. Was it Glen?

[Dajazz]

Ok, so I went back and checked Sam’s OHL and NHL highlights, pretty much every goal.

I guesstimate 90% of all goals are within 3 feet from the crease. Deke, rebound, wrap around or tap in. He’s got a super awkward wrist shot, like he’s using a broom - slow release and a really long sweeping motion and follow through.

I’m less worried now than before. Shooting technique can be trained, hopefully the coaching staff have identified this. Not saying he’s a complete player otherwise, but without a NHL release he’s a one trick pony - and NHL defenders will keep him to the outside.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by jonkaupp

Cool, Frolik also has a body of work that shows he is a better player than Bennett has ever been, on top of his ‘fortuitous’ start. He’s definitely a better player than Bennett.

Cool

I wasn't suggesting Frolik is or wasn't a solid player, just pointing out that his 7 goal start has an asterisk or two.

One player has crossbars and waved off goals, the other empty netters and bank shots.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Cool

I wasn't suggesting Frolik is or wasn't a solid player, just pointing out that his 7 goal start has an asterisk or two.

One player has crossbars and waved off goals, the other empty netters and bank shots.

LoL

3rd on the team in goals vs. posts.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

LoL

3rd on the team in goals vs. posts.

Are you actually laughing out loud?

You don't find Frolik's start a little fortunate? That's all I'm saying.

There is Lindholm at 9 goals and Frolik at 7, are they really 2 goals apart in the way they are playing?