From that interview about the trade to Florida...."it was so refreshing to have a team that really believed in me and wanted me to succeed". BTW, the tone wasn't as a hard slap against Calgary but more about how Florida was a breath of fresh air for him.
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Literally the very first goal shows (almost) everything you need to know about this guy. Always in position to attack. Knows how to disappear from coverage and then re-emerge at a different spot. Goes after the defender's stick first on the actual goal, then puts the puck in the net (creates an 80-20 puck battle instead of just going for the puck first and being in a 50-50 at best but more likely a 40-60 -- since even if the D didn't win it, the harder battle would have bought another half-second for the goalie to recover and make a play).
Last edited by FanIn80; 08-19-2025 at 12:44 PM.
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There were tons of reports at the time that veterans/ coaches in the org were unhappy with how on the edge both Tkachuk and Bennett played. Thus, they didn't feel like they could play how they wanted to all the time.
I still think Bennett could have been less petulant while he was a flame, but I am coming around to the idea that we do in fact have a country club atmosphere throughout the org.
If he had even 1/4 of this IQ when he was a Flame, he would still be here. Too bad he only showed this in 40 of the 400 games he played here.
I wouldn't call his style of game, even in Florida, especially high IQ. What Florida did was let him off his chain. Even in his Conn Smyth winning run, he averaged over 2 minutes a game in penalties, and at least some of those weren't great ones.
The Flames were obsessed with this idea that every player had to be tough to play against, because they were griding it out on both sides of the ice. For periods they would let the top line loose, and the top line always seemed to have success in those times.
Bennett has always looked great in the playoffs, even when on the Flames, when the rules were relaxed, hence the nickname "Playoff Sam Bennett". In his last two playoffs with the Flames Bennett had 13 points in 15 games, whch is actually a better rate than he put up in Florida.
The team even knew what they had, but insisted on shackling Bennett to the bottom line and teaching him to be the next Backlund instead of just letting the dog off the chain. That being said, Bennett's regular season stats in Florida, with gifted top 6 minutes aren't spectacular, but it keeps him happy and amped for the playoffs.
The IQ deficiency was in the coaching staffs that glued him with guys like Brouwer, Neal, Chiasson, Dube, Lucic, etc.
How many offensive zone hooking and interference penalties does he take in Florida? How goals have been called back on him for goalie interference in Florida?
It's not the same Bennett. There was literally NO outrage on here when he got traded!
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There were tons of reports at the time that veterans/ coaches in the org were unhappy with how on the edge both Tkachuk and Bennett played. Thus, they didn't feel like they could play how they wanted to all the time.
I still think Bennett could have been less petulant while he was a flame, but I am coming around to the idea that we do in fact have a country club atmosphere throughout the org.
Tkachuk was fine when he was playing. He was a dick between whistles. Guys would have to fight people on the other team because of it. It's one thing to stand up for teammates who get a cheap shot or a borderline check. It's another to have to do it because Tkachuk decides to "fall" onto a goalie.
Tkachuk was fine when he was playing. He was a dick between whistles. Guys would have to fight people on the other team because of it. It's one thing to stand up for teammates who get a cheap shot or a borderline check. It's another to have to do it because Tkachuk decides to "fall" onto a goalie.
That is why #19 left. He knew teams need to play on the edge.
He has 2 cups and Flames have not made the playoffs since he left.
