[GDT] Development Camp Scrimmage: July 9th 10AM MT. calgaryflames.com

[DOOM]

Originally Posted by Point Blank

Honestly I get them mixed up all the time too. I'm not sure why since their last names aren't even that similar.

Drafted in the same year in the mid rounds, both last names start with a similar sounding letter, both d-men, both from the CHL, I can see why some people get them mixed up, haha.

[T@T]

Originally Posted by getbak

I have a feeling that Culkin and Kulak are going to be like Gio and Richie Regehr were the first season after the lockout. I think there's going to be a lot of debate back-and-forth all season long about who's the better prospect and who's more deserving of a call-up, and they'll both likely get a few NHL games during the season.

Now, we just need them both to develop like Gio, and things will be good.

Had a chat with Richie 2 years ago this Aug., had a good outlook on his career. said something like this " life for a hockey player is all about opportunity, sometimes the best finish first but most finish last. it's more political and game like than you think"

I believe him.

[Roof-Daddy]

Kulak and Culkin both remind me a lot of Brodie when he was a 20 year old turning pro, except they Culkin is a bit bigger than Brodie was, and Kulak has the shot that Caged mentioned.

[Point Blank]

Originally Posted by T@T

Had a chat with Richie 2 years ago this Aug., had a good outlook on his career. said something like this " life for a hockey player is all about opportunity, sometimes the best finish first but most finish last. it's more political and game like than you think"

I believe him.

Well the same goes for just about any other profession.

[Hackey]

Might be some politics for fringe players but teams are going to take the best players regardless.

[Rick M.]

For those of you who saw both scrimmages, is it fair to say that you feel Bennett is not yet ready for prime time and needs to go back to junior next season?

[FeyWest]

Originally Posted by Rick M.

For those of you who saw both scrimmages, is it fair to say that you feel Bennett is not yet ready for prime time and needs to go back to junior next season?

I think we're left in a Monahan situation here just because they both had similar showings at Dev. Camp, at least this is what I hear from all accounts.

I'd wait for Training Camp before the final decision but given the situation this year as opposed to last I think Sam ends up back in the O after a couple games.

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by Rick M.

For those of you who saw both scrimmages, is it fair to say that you feel Bennett is not yet ready for prime time and needs to go back to junior next season?

He is going to be a gem, but he needs to get stronger. He fights for the puck as good as any, but he did struggle against the bigger guys.

He probably would be best served by playing in 9 and going back to juniors, but if he shows that he's good enough for the full year, then that means he is doing very good and not a problem.

[sempuki]

Originally Posted by Point Blank

Well the same goes for just about any other profession.

You mean "goes for any profession where the qualified applicants greatly outnumber the available positions." Or perhaps isomorphically "any unionized profession."

Hockey is supposed to be merit based, but if you hit a good run things can snowball for you. Hit a bad run and you can find yourself bypassed.

Similarities with other entertainment professions, like music, also abound.

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by FeyWest

I think we're left in a Monahan situation here just because they both had similar showings at Dev. Camp, at least this is what I hear from all accounts.

I'd wait for Training Camp before the final decision but given the situation this year as opposed to last I think Sam ends up back in the O after a couple games.

Mono was better than Bennett overall by quite a bit, but that is due to their differences in their game. Mono is a cerebral guy, where Bennett is more crash and bang. Monahan could get by because his size didn't impact things much. However, Bennett's strength does impact how he plays.

[sempuki]

Originally Posted by FeyWest

I think we're left in a Monahan situation here just because they both had similar showings at Dev. Camp, at least this is what I hear from all accounts.

I'd wait for Training Camp before the final decision but given the situation this year as opposed to last I think Sam ends up back in the O after a couple games.

I think Monahan is an aberration due to his mental stability ("boring" Monahan) and physical maturity at the time. I don't think there's a chance Sam stays with the team, and that's perfectly fine. Let him grow a man's body first, and get some comfort with the speed of play.

[Goodlad]

Monahan also had 3 full seasons of Junior before being drafted, compared to Bennett's 2. They were drafted only a year apart, but Monahan is a year and eight months older. That's going to influence how NHL ready they each are.

[EldrickOnIce]

Flames knew Bennett was not NHL ready when they drafted him. There is nothing new to see here.

[Caged Great]

Exactly. People do forget that Jankowski and Monahan are only a month apart age wise despite they are from different drafts, and that Bennett was one of the youngest this year. 8 months makes a big difference.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

Exactly. People do forget that Jankowski and Monahan are only a month apart age wise despite they are from different drafts, and that Bennett was one of the youngest this year. 8 months makes a big difference.

There is 21 months between Jankowski and Bennett. Three big talented centers all within two years of each other. Take that to the bank.

[FeyWest]

I definitely don't have anything against Bennett going back to tear it up in Kingston, it's up to Sam to force management to keep him up, but I think it's going to be tough given the number of roster spots and the other players that are definitely going to make a case to play in the bigs. Bennett sounds like he has a relentless work ethic when he has a goal in mind.

Caged you do make a good point and it's one of the many reasons I wanted Bennett to be drafted by us. They play different style games so it'll be interesting to see the 1-2 punch combination pans out in the near future!

It's going to be an exciting Training camp! And if fans can go Im going to definitely try to I've never been to one of these camps and am jealous of everyone who's gone.

[codynw]

I hope Bennett goes back and plays a huge role with Canada at the WJC this year, it'll finally give me a reason to watch/care about the tournament.

[cral12]

So, when Johnny (Hockey) Gaudreay, Jon Gillies and John Gilmour are all in the big club's lineup and on the ice at the same time, will we be calling them:
"JG Cubed"
?

[Yrebmi]

Of course Bennett will get another year in the minors. We can't have Gaudreau and Bennett competing for the same Calder.

[Street Pharmacist]

So umm, other than summertime fun and an awesome trip to Holland, wtf do we have to look forward to before training camp? Is there anything left?