Sam Bennett was ranked #1 by central scouting and top four by everyone. It was the big 4, 29 teams would have taken Bennett there.
I personally believe the Flames largely ruined him. As you pointed out, he was the consensus guy at that spot, so the skill and potential were there at the time. Someone didn't light a fire under him at the start but he was also buried and not given much of a chance from the start. He didn't deserve much, but for a guy drafted that high there should have been more attention to develop the guy one-on-one. While I won't literally take it to my grave, because I don't care that much, but the saying remains that I truly believe they ruined the guy by not giving him some free rope. He didn't play hard (entitled?) but he was never given a chance early on which a player of that high draft ilk should have been given (sink or swim). Now the not-so-good habits have set in and he is what he is.
Bennett looked like he was on track until Gulutzan became the coach.
18-18-36 in 77 is pretty good for a 19 year old rookie.
Not bad, though:
Laine: 36-28-64 in 73 (18 y)
Tkachuk: 13-35-48 in 76 (18)
Keller: 23-42-65 in 82 (19)
Bennett was expected to be better than pretty good as a #4 pick. Even in his rookie season, he was pretty inconsistent. His 4 goal game where everything he touched, including fumbles, went in helped.
I'm on the side that the Flames ruined him for the most part. But I also think whatever success he was gearing into got sidetracked by the arrival of Tkachuk. Just kind of pushed him off the Backlund/Frolik line and into obscurity.
I do think the style of hockey Tree wanted/wants is hindering a lot of players fromax potential. It's also hindered his coaching hires. He wants a specific kind of game and I dont think this roster of players are built for it.
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Man... what happened? Looked like a completely different player. His hands and confidence are just gone now.
Gonna watch some 2014/15 videos. I miss those days. The most fun Flames season to watch since 2004.
Jeez, no kidding. I haven't watched those highlights in years but his style of play and effectiveness is night and day.
Lots of talk nowadays about how he doesn't use his linemates and the junior hockey moves that don't work in the NHL, but these highlights show when they were both working for him. He was often the driving force on that line with Backs and Frolik, lots of smart passes.
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Jeez, no kidding. I haven't watched those highlights in years but his style of play and effectiveness is night and day.
Lots of talk nowadays about how he doesn't use his linemates and the junior hockey moves that don't work in the NHL, but these highlights show when they were both working for him. He was often the driving force on that line with Backs and Frolik, lots of smart passes.
A couple of those plays to Brodie in that video were the kind of passes that used to make me think Bennett had more upside than Gaudreau.
Then Gulutzan happened
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"May those who accept their fate find happiness. May those who defy it find glory."
has any reporter attempt to ask Bennett any questions since the trade request? Or has Sam been ever made available? This is the time we miss people like George Johnson, Wes Gilbertson cos they will hang out in the dressing room and speak to players in depth.
Ugh...I got through half of that and couldn’t watch anymore. What happened? The thing that I call him out on all the time is his lack of awareness, but he had plenty of awareness back then.
