[News] Flames sign Sam Bennett to ELC ($925k AAV + $2.3MM in bonuses)

[stemit14]

So awesome that the flames have, by many scouting reports and draft rankings, the most skilled player in the draft but management is going to be smart and likely give him another year at least to develop his game.

This team is already loaded with great prospects... Just think about this time next year... They will be bursting at the seams with high-end prospects. Even better that they have tons of guys at different stages of development. Guys like baertschi, gaudreau, granlund, Reinhart, Wotherspoon, and ortio are all knocking on the door to be full-time NHLers this season. Poirier, Klimchuk, ferland, sieloff, Bennett, knight, Arnold will all be at that point next season. And guys like kanzig, Jankowski, kulak, and Gillies will probably be there in 2+ years. And that's not even getting to the guys they get next year in a very, very good draft.

This will mean a steady stream of guys properly developed and ready to make the jump into the NHL for years to come. That's how the best teams become so good... The Kings, Bruins, Blackhawks, etc. Plus these same teams then always have assets should they need to trade for impact players that push them over the top.

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by Lanny'sDaMan

With great delight I bust out my favourite gif to celebrate this (fully expected) signing.

Someone needs to add Flames, Oilers and Canucks logos to that gif.

[Fire]

Originally Posted by Split98

Can't remember the exactly what he said, but watched Button on That's Hockey today state with quite passion that Bennett should not be in the NHL this season.

Can't find the clip, but it seemed that there was no question in his mind that Bennett will not even have a chance at the Flames roster this year.

Yeah, he even made it sound like Bennett is not guaranteed to start the 2015-16 season with the Flames depending on his strength..

[Split98]

Originally Posted by Fire

Yeah, he even made it sound like Bennett is not guaranteed to start the 2015-16 season with the Flames depending on his strength..

Yeah, I wish I could find the clip. It definitely seemed like he wanted to get it off his chest. Was pretty passionate about how he viewed Bennett's NHL outlook

[Fire]

Originally Posted by Split98

Yeah, I wish I could find the clip. It definitely seemed like he wanted to get it off his chest. Was pretty passionate about how he viewed Bennett's NHL outlook

He mentioned Gilbert Brule, as a warning to what happens when you rush a smaller physical type player to in the NHL.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Fire

He mentioned Gilbert Brule, as a warning to what happens when you rush a smaller physical type player to in the NHL.

It may be comparable, I haven't seen enough of Bennett to know. What I do remember about Brule in the WHL is that his game was built off of his physicality. With him being a small player, I wondered if it would transfer to the NHL.

With Bennett I get the impression that his physical play is just a part of his game and not the main part. If he dropped the physical play he still has the skills to make it. Maybe someone can comment more on Bennett's play?

[sketchyt]

Originally Posted by Split98

Yeah, I wish I could find the clip. It definitely seemed like he wanted to get it off his chest. Was pretty passionate about how he viewed Bennett's NHL outlook

Button can be such a mouth breather sometimes as smart as he is. Jeez, what's wrong with making a guy earn a spot in training camp, earn to play every game up to nine and then making him earn game 10? If or when he gets sent back at least let him do it on his own merits.

[mile]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

It may be comparable, I haven't seen enough of Bennett to know. What I do remember about Brule in the WHL is that his game was built off of his physicality. With him being a small player, I wondered if it would transfer to the NHL.

With Bennett I get the impression that his physical play is just a part of his game and not the main part. If he dropped the physical play he still has the skills to make it. Maybe someone can comment more on Bennett's play?

Perhaps it is only because he played in the scrimmages (where there wasn't much physical play) but he seemed perfectly fine without the physical play. He was still engaged in the play and still created turnovers.

I wouldn't be surprised if he toned down his physical style and laid out less body checks once he is the NHL - he doesn't need to look to lay out a big hit every game. Centres like Bergeron and Toews don't throw hits every game either, even though they are capable of it.

[Finger Cookin]

Here's the clip, starting about the 2:20 mark.

http://www.tsn.ca/VideoHub/?collection=72&show=406549

[Wastedyouth]

I agree with Button.

[Finger Cookin]

I think most here would agree that another year in junior couldn't hurt Sam. Treliving has also suggested this. It's how vehement Button is about it that is odd.

[Wastedyouth]

Where you see vehemence I see passion. He's always been like that.

[JD]

Button's not wrong, but why is Bennett's size a factor? He's an 18 year old kid, and not really a small one at that. Brule was always a small player. Bennett is nothing like Brule. Any 18 year old can stand to build some strength. Bennett will, in time, if he's as hard-working and diligent as they are saying.

[Vulcan]

Brule was like 5'10" and 160 lbs and he tried to play like he was a power forward. Bennett is 6'1" and 180 lbs and sometimes plays nasty. Not really a comparison.

[Frequitude]

He'll, he might go back next year too. Not eligible for the AHL until the 2016-2017 season.

[Robbob]

I think we should all be glad he was a good 7 months younger and not as physically developed because that is why we got him at 4th. Will be interesting to see the height and weight when he is the same age as Draistal and Reinhart.

I think if Bennett entered the draft at 6'2 190 lbs there would be no way he would be a flame right now.

[Split98]

Originally Posted by Fire

He mentioned Gilbert Brule, as a warning to what happens when you rush a smaller physical type player to in the NHL.

I forgot that was his comparable. I see where he is going with it, but can't say I agree so much because:

Originally Posted by Vulcan

It may be comparable, I haven't seen enough of Bennett to know. What I do remember about Brule in the WHL is that his game was built off of his physicality. With him being a small player, I wondered if it would transfer to the NHL.

With Bennett I get the impression that his physical play is just a part of his game and not the main part. If he dropped the physical play he still has the skills to make it. Maybe someone can comment more on Bennett's play?

Nailed it.

I don't have a strong opinion one way or the other with Bennett making the team out of camp. With Monahan we went through this as well. Don't want him plugging along on the 3rd or 4th line just to wear the sweater, and don't want him forced onto the wing to fill a gap. But, would be great to see a 3-way cycle of Bennett, Monahan and Backlund between the top 3 lines if he makes it. If not, we get a great Christmas gift as he will be entering as one of the top players on Canada's WJRs.

Just how vehemently, as Finger Cookin put it, Button was about his opinion. Seemed like he really needed to get that out there.

[Split98]

Originally Posted by Finger Cookin

Here's the clip, starting about the 2:20 mark.

http://www.tsn.ca/VideoHub/?collection=72&show=406549

I knew it would be tucked away into one of those videos, just didn't think that one!

Thanks for the find.

[sureLoss]

per capgeek Bennett did not get full performance bonuses

Bennett has a base NHL salary of $925k plus $2.3 mil in performance bonuses

the maximum a player can get on an ELC is $925k plus $2.850 mil in performance bonuses


for comparison, Sabres gave Sam Reinhart $925k plus $2.650 mil in performance bonuses

[hymarker]

You know I would be very happy with that, for being only 18. I think he has bright future a head of himself, but no need to rush the situation.