Sam Bennett Potential

[heep223]

Bennett went .46 PPG in his rookie season in the NHL at 19 years old, in a year that the team sucked and his linemates were varied and mostly lukewarm in skill. Also for part of that he was learning his 2 way game as a C and focusing on the defensive side of the puck.

Seriously, this kid is going to be good. He's a different player than Monahan and having them as a 1-2 punch down the middle (argue all you want about who is 1 and who is 2) with Backlund as the 3rd line C makes me tumescent. That kind of C depth is how championship teams are made.

[ResAlien]

I meant the comparison positively, I like less divey Dustin brown. Top 6, efficient and tough intensity to play against (ooh, let's call it the EAT IT index. Totally gonna be a thing ), point producing when it matters, sounds good to me. Hopefully he can show this game breaking franchise ability I keep seeing referenced, maybe I'm just watching the wrong things. It's a distinct possibility.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Iggy Snipe

Sam Bennett is going into his 3rd year of his contract and only his 2nd full season. Its hard to peg him for where his ceiling is, but I can tell you its nothing close to Monahan's or Gaudreau's.

Look at Monahan or Gaudreaus offensive numbers in their first year and compare those to Bennett's. Bennett is a clear skill level below. He has still to really find a steady position where the flames think he belongs as well (he plays center and wing). .

Sean Monahan - Rookie Age 19
Goals - 22 - Assists - 12 - Points - 34

Sam Bennett - Rookie Age 19
Goals 18 - Assists - 18 - Points - 36

Johnny Gaudreau - Rookie Age 21
Goals - 24 - Assists - 40 Points - 64

Gaudreau blows them both away, but he was two full years older. Bennett beat Monahan in points, and was only six goals behind Gaudreau, despite again being two years younger. Totally puzzled how you can look at those numbers, put them in context with experience and age then claim he's clearly behind those two.

Bennett is lock and step with those two.

[GranteedEV]

20+40=64

[JohnnyTitan]

Originally Posted by Plaedo

Not to mention all the posts Bennett hit throughout the season and specifically during his dry spells. It seemed to me that he had an exceptional amount of poor "puck-luck." I wish there was a compilation of his "post shots" and/or a way to know how many he hit throughout the season compared to others. Perhaps I am naive and someone knows something they can share about this subject. However, I am also very lazy, as I thought to glance at his shooting percentages but didn't.

Needless-to-say, count me amongst those that think there is a huge amount of untapped potential, him being a potential 1a in our 1a/1b setup. I see potential to be in the upper echelon of scorers, while still bringing his gritty game.

While someone who is good at research is counting posts...also count penalties drawn! Lol!

I swear there were games where he got hauled down multiple times.

Only to be taken off the ice for the regular power play to look terrible.

And add OT as another area Sam wasn't given a chance.

Bad linemates . Rookie season . 10 lbs lighter. No PP. Goals called back. No OT.

Good reason to believe he'll experience a nice bump this year and beyond.

Oh - and he's a total beast. He physically ran the Oilers out of the rink last year...as a 180 lbs 19 year old.

I don't think Monahan can 'Take over a game'. Bennett can and will.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Iggy Snipe

Sam Bennett is going into his 3rd year of his contract and only his 2nd full season. Its hard to peg him for where his ceiling is, but I can tell you its nothing close to Monahan's or Gaudreau's.

Look at Monahan or Gaudreaus offensive numbers in their first year and compare those to Bennett's. Bennett is a clear skill level below. He has still to really find a steady position where the flames think he belongs as well (he plays center and wing).

Bennett has a lot of upside and brings speed and grit to the lineup, with some offensive pop. This is extremely valuable, and he will be slotted in with a second/third line role.

He is not going to be a franchise player or a #1 centerman on this team however. The contract he signs will reflect this next off season, unless he miraculusly breaks out this year. I wouldn't say Sam has been a disappointment, but he certainly did not impress me anywhere near as often as Johnny or Mony. Its not a bad thing, he just is not as skilled. He plays a different role because of this.

Wow lots of absolutes in your post and I think you may end up very wrong on a lot of them.

Bennett's upside is nowhere near Monahan and Gaudreau's? Disagree.
Bennett is a clear skill level below them? Disagree.
Using their first year numbers to try and predict their careers? Extremely questionable logic.
He is not going to be a franchise player or centre? Guess you should submit your scouting resume to teams there bud. Gonna disagree again, he has that high potential although it is not assured.

Pretty weak post. Bet you're the type of poster that didn't believe Brodie had top pairing upside based on his rookie year and look at him now. Players improve and develop. Bennett stepped into the NHL at a much younger age than Gaudreau.

You probably shouldn't use so many absolutes when talking about young, still developing, still improving players. Bennett was the #1 ranked player in his draft year by Central Scouting and Redline and the highest ever draft pick by the Calgary Flames for a reason, and it's not because he has 2nd line upside. Methinks you underrate him and overrate your own opinion of him based on his early career.

[Moneyhands23]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Wow lots of absolutes in your post and I think you may end up very wrong on a lot of them.

Bennett's upside is nowhere near Monahan and Gaudreau's? Disagree.
Bennett is a clear skill level below them? Disagree.
Using their first year numbers to try and predict their careers? Extremely questionable logic.
He is not going to be a franchise player or centre? Guess you should submit your scouting resume to teams there bud. Gonna disagree again, he has that high potential although it is not assured.

Pretty weak post. Bet you're the type of poster that didn't believe Brodie had top pairing upside based on his rookie year and look at him now. Players improve and develop. Bennett stepped into the NHL at a much younger age than Gaudreau.

You probably shouldn't use so many absolutes when talking about young, still developing, still improving players. Bennett was the #1 ranked player in his draft year by Central Scouting and Redline and the highest ever draft pick by the Calgary Flames for a reason, and it's not because he has 2nd line upside. Methinks you underrate him and overrate your own opinion of him based on his early career.

Can I get an Amen!
☺

[Sylvanfan]

Had Bennett stayed on the wing with Backlund and Frolic he likely scores 23 goals and close to 50 points. He had bad linemates in the last 20 games and that killed his production. He's every bit as good as Monahan. 30 goals and 70 points is achievable one day.

[trublmaker]

Originally Posted by Moneyhands23

Can I get an Amen!
☺

out of amens but have a hallelujah for ya.

[Caged Great]

I look at Bennett as being a more edgy version of Matt Duchene with a better attitude.

Unlike with Duchene, Bennett was not needed to be the guy in his first season, nor will he be moving forward. However, his point totals could reach those levels eventually (70 points). I think a 50 point season would be a good result for him this year. Anything more is a bonus.

[Illuminaughty]

I honestly don't see anything lacking in Bennett's game other then experience. He came back from major shoulder surgery and put up a pretty impressive rookie season as a 19 year old.

If he was gifted top ice time like some other teams seem to do with their young talent, nobody would be doubting his top line potential IMO. You need to be put in a position to succeed, hopefully Gulitzan will utilize him more effectively then Hartley would have this year.

[sticktrick]

No offense Iggy Snipe, but your post is cringeworthy. Making any mention of Mony's skill level being a level above Bennett is silly. Monahan is a great player, but Bennett's demostrated skill sample so far oozes the making of a stud and the reaffirmation he was ranked as high as he was in his draft year. They are different players. Bennett's ceiling is far beyond Monahan's in my opinion. Brings a different element to the game, has a consistently higher tempo than mony. Gaudreau is a different category of player altogether... may be Godly.

Originally Posted by Iggy Snipe

Sam Bennett is going into his 3rd year of his contract and only his 2nd full season. Its hard to peg him for where his ceiling is, but I can tell you its nothing close to Monahan's or Gaudreau's.

Look at Monahan or Gaudreaus offensive numbers in their first year and compare those to Bennett's. Bennett is a clear skill level below. He has still to really find a steady position where the flames think he belongs as well (he plays center and wing).

Bennett has a lot of upside and brings speed and grit to the lineup, with some offensive pop. This is extremely valuable, and he will be slotted in with a second/third line role.

He is not going to be a franchise player or a #1 centerman on this team however. The contract he signs will reflect this next off season, unless he miraculusly breaks out this year. I wouldn't say Sam has been a disappointment, but he certainly did not impress me anywhere near as often as Johnny or Mony. Its not a bad thing, he just is not as skilled. He plays a different role because of this.

[Par]

Anyone remember during, Glen's press conference, Roger Millions, said the veterans on the team were concerned about how Bennett was being used, that derailed him a bit.

[mdubz]

Originally Posted by Par

Anyone remember during, Glen's press conference, Roger Millions, said the veterans on the team were concerned about how Bennett was being used, that derailed him a bit.

I, don't know, how, commas work.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Rising with a bullet, as the old song rating vernacular goes.

Very good.

Maybe very very good.

Might take a while.

He'll get there though.

[Moneyhands23]

Originally Posted by mdubz

I, don't know, how, commas work.

Ahhhhhh,ha,ha,hahahaha!!!!

,

,

,

[the2bears]

Originally Posted by Mass_nerder

Based on what I've seen so far, yeah.
I hope I'm wrong, and everyone else is right though.

I think the fact you allow yourself "hope" means you think he *can* be better than what you've indicated. Otherwise, that's a ridiculous prediction of a ceiling for Bennett - seems obvious to me that someone with a 4-goal game as a rookie has far more potential.

[mivdo]

Sam Bennett definitely has got talent and I believe he will build on it. One thing that really stood out was when he was engaged physically. As was mentioned earlier, 180 lbs and was hard to handle.

It reminded me a bit of Iggy. Could single handedly turn a game around by going into beast mode. 15 lbs heavier with brouwer and possibly Tkachuk? Drool.

[Fire]

If Bennett plays on the 1st line with Gaudreau all season and Monahan plays with Brouwer, which player gets more points? Monahan or Bennett?

[TheoFleury]

Originally Posted by Fire

If Bennett plays on the 1st line with Gaudreau all season and Monahan plays with Brouwer, which player gets more points? Monahan or Bennett?

Bennett but I think Monahan would still be good for 25 goals and 50 points.