QOTD: What will the Flames do with Sam Bennett?

[ComixZone]

Hard to predict. I'm sure he'll spend a decent amount of time with the team, even if he doesn't get into many games. Eventually I see him returning to Kingston to help Crouse pushing the Frontenacs in the playoffs.

[foshizzle11]

Originally Posted by nemanja2306

If I was the GM, I'd send him down to Addy for a two week conditioning stint. If he struggles, then you obviously send him to juniors. If he plays well, bring him up, give him his nine games and then go from there.

I 100% agree with this. I don't believe this strategy will hinder his development at all. He is highly competitive but if he isn't ready, it will show. I believe he needs to learn the systems at the AHL level before getting a shot at the NHL. He has to earn it.

If they send him straight back to junior without sending him to Addy or just keeping him in the NHL, I wouldn't be surprised or disappointed.

[Tron_fdc]

Hard to say without knowing where the kid is physically, and where he is mentally.

My feeling is he's been working on his strength and conditioning, and won't be cleared until he's 100% NHL game ready. From what I've been reading the kid considers himself an NHL player, and a good one at that. I expect him to impress right from the get go.

I voted straight to the NHL, but every one of the choices is reasonable to me.

[Huntingwhale]

I personally think he should head back to Junior. An 18 year old coming of major surgery who will be going up against fully grown men who are in mid-season form in the midst of teams battling for playoff positions. I just don't see how he can succeed in a situation like that. Who is he going to bump out of the lineup, particularly from the top 6? Now that's my opinion as someone who sits behind a keyboard who has no idea about his medical history or what kind of shape he is in. If the Flames do decide to keep him in the NHL and let him have a taste, I'm cool with that too. I trust management to make the BEST decision for ALL involved.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Key is to not be close minded in my opinion.

This is my thought as well. I really don't see a reason to not give him a shot and see how he does. Even if it's just a game or two. No one says you have to max out the 9 games.

[neo45]

I think it would be good for him to play an NHL game like Backlund did before being sent to junior. A few games won't shell shock him and it can give him a great look at where he needs to be physically for next season.


But the games matter way too much to simply throw a rookie into the lineup so I vote send him for a conditioning stint and if he looks good, give him a few games (doesn't need to be 9 unless he plays unreal).

[automaton 3]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

I want to be careful not to generalize a herd opinion, but I do find it odd that it seems like usually the vocal majority supports not rushing prospects into the line-up (the "Detroit" model gets thrown around a lot). Yet when it comes to Bennett, the vocal majority seems to want him thrown in to the AHL or NHL ASAP.

I can just see a nightmare scenario where he hits the ice and blows his shoulder out the first time someone just cranks him. I would really feel a lot less anxious if he were eased into it slower given his size, recent surgery and lack of recent game action.

Seriously, what's the rush? Year 2 of the re-build...

He is not a delicate flower. His shoulder will be stronger than ever. After weeks of training with some of the best trainers around he is going to be in phenomenal shape.

This kid is a thoroughbread and by all accounts has a great attitude and has worked his tail off. The Flames will recognize and reward him somehow, and I don't see them just dismissing him back to junior summarily without a second look.

Flames have the rare option of placing a junior-aged player in the AHL for a conditioning stint. I can't see them not taking advantage of that opportunity. If he falters there (or even if he just treads water), then sending him to junior becomes clear. If he excells there, consider bringing him up for a cup of coffee and take it from there.

Also, junior is not exactly a walk in the park. If he goes back there he will be the best player on that team and will be targeted.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

I personally think he should head back to Junior. An 18 year old coming of major surgery who will be going up against fully grown men who are in mid-season form in the midst of teams battling for playoff positions. I just don't see how he can succeed in a situation like that. Who is he going to bump out of the lineup, particularly from the top 6?

Agreed.

I think it is important to remember that right now, he is still 6 months younger than what Monahan was when he first played in the NHL. And there is a big difference between starting in October when many players are still feeling their way around, and then starting mid-season in the middle of a playoff race.

I just see a much bigger risk in throwing him in this season than if we wait, but the long term reward if he goes back to junior is about the same no matter what.

[GioforPM]

Surgery and rehab does not necessarily = a joint being "stronger than ever" . I hope it does in this case, but there's lots of examples of guys who have permanently vulnerable joints that, while corrected to the degree that they can play again, are prone to being re-injured.

[Street Pharmacist]

I'm not sure anyone needs to be concerned about his shoulder. By the time he plays his first game wherever that may be it'll be as good as his other shoulder. There not going to let him go at less than 100%.

My concern is about whether putting him in for his 9 games is a good idea for him or the team.
Sam hasn't played a game in a long time and I'm not sure the NHL is where he should get the rust out. The Flames are in a playoff push and that shouldn't be compromised to see where Bennett is at.
Even if we send him to AHL for the conditioning stint he had to be added to the 23 man roster which bumps another kid. That may be less important as it sends those who get called up are sitting anyways. With small injuries though it could be important.
I'd like to see an AHL conditioning stint and then sent to minors unless he's really ripping it up

[DoubleF]

Similar to Ortio, I'm thinking Bennett gets 3-4 games then sent down regardless of great or poor performance.

I'm guessing he recovers/rehabs with the Flames and not the AHL. Instead of 4 months recovery, it would be 6 or so, with later months consisting of skating/non-contact and skills training but not actual practice with team. Lots to learn and witness from other teammates on the IR this year. I could see him be like Backlund, come from injury and immediately toss a little zazz into our game/entertainment. However after those 3-4 games, management would send him down because it's what's best for him and put him in a situation less likely for him to injure himself. I doubt it will be a Monahan situation to force the hand of management to keep him up.

[UKflames]

Send him to Junior, allow him to get some games in but not the pounding he would get in the AHL or the NHL. There is no need to rush him and shoulders do take a long time to recover properly to get the full zing back, even though he may be cleared to play.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

Essentially Conditioning Stint in AHL & a Cup of Coffee; and Conditioning Stint in AHL & 9 Game Trial is the same thing, in my opinion.

I picked cup of coffee as I think he should do the conditioning stint, then see how he does in the NHL.

He'll likely have a cup of coffee given he hasn't played all year and is only 18 (19 now?). Then get his form back in junior. However, if he wows at the NHL level obviously keep him.

[Two Fivenagame]

Agree with Huntingwhale. Wonder how much the flames current battle for a play-off spot affects this decision?

If they were on the outside of the pack with little to no hope of a birth in the post-season, then I suspect the flames would be interested in seeing what they have in Bennett and giving him more time in the NHL.

IMO, during the pre-season it was a coin-toss between who was the more dominant forward between Johnny or Bennett. Johnny started the season slowly and worked his way up to the top line. I don't think Bennett will have the luxury of being eased into the NHL like that.

[Savvy27]

I think that the team will send him down. The team has played itself into a position that they can make the playoffs and that makes it a lot more difficult to justify any kind of experiment. As some have noted there are already a number of players who have made a good case for themselves to have a cup of coffee who would see an 18 year old rookie jump the queue.

Personally, I'd like to see how he does in the AHL on a conditioning stint, but I get it if it doesn't work out that way. The only way he will stick (I think) is if he looks so good in practice that they think he'll improve the roster immediately.

[JJ1532]

Originally Posted by 1991 Canadian

I agree. High draft picks should be given top 6 minutes immediately without earning them. Lets play him for about half of the remaining season, give him a terrible supporting cast to play with, then ship him back to juniors for the second half after he has picked up lots of bad habits.

Terrible supporting cast? Not sure who that applies to. Sure, the likes of Raymond and Byron haven't played great recently, but not sure how that makes them terrible. As for the rest, Jones has been above expectations, Glencross about par. Hudler and Johnny have been lights out, Backlund has been excellent since his return. Monahan has been steady and has improved his 2 way game, Bouma is already having a career year for points. Jooris has been amazing for most of the season. Not sure how any of our forwards at the moment deserve the title of "terrible supporting cast". Its like you feel Bennett is too good for these mere average players and he should only take to the ice with Voracek and P.Kane.

As for picking up bad habits, such as? In case you haven't noticed, we aren't the Oilers. We aren't playing garbage hockey which he will see, replicate and then take with him to the Juniors. Haven't we seen over the last 18 months with Monahan, Colborne, Jooris, Granlund etc, that Hartley and co know how to handle a rookie. I personally will trust their judgement over Sam. I don't think he has earned a starting spot purely on his training camp showing. Maybe at the start of the season he did, but thats too far gone. I agree that he shouldn't be given top 6 minutes, but at the same time, playing him on the 3/4th line probably isn't going to help him either. I think it would be best for all concerned if he went back down to the OHL straight away. I don't think I could handle all the CP outrage when if he got put on the 3rd line wing or wasn't immediately handed PP time. Much better to keep him hungry by sending him down and then telling him to earn a spot for next year when he's fully fit. But if they feel he deserves a game/9, then so be it. I just hope people would accept where he ended up getting played.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by JJ1532

Terrible supporting cast? Not sure who that applies to. Sure, the likes of Raymond and Byron haven't played great recently, but not sure how that makes them terrible. As for the rest, Jones has been above expectations, Glencross about par. Hudler and Johnny have been lights out, Backlund has been excellent since his return. Monahan has been steady and has improved his 2 way game, Bouma is already having a career year for points. Jooris has been amazing for most of the season. Not sure how any of our forwards at the moment deserve the title of "terrible supporting cast". Its like you feel Bennett is too good for these mere average players and he should only take to the ice with Voracek and P.Kane.

As for picking up bad habits, such as? In case you haven't noticed, we aren't the Oilers. We aren't playing garbage hockey which he will see, replicate and then take with him to the Juniors. Haven't we seen over the last 18 months with Monahan, Colborne, Jooris, Granlund etc, that Hartley and co know how to handle a rookie. I personally will trust their judgement over Sam. I don't think he has earned a starting spot purely on his training camp showing. Maybe at the start of the season he did, but thats too far gone. I agree that he shouldn't be given top 6 minutes, but at the same time, playing him on the 3/4th line probably isn't going to help him either. I think it would be best for all concerned if he went back down to the OHL straight away. I don't think I could handle all the CP outrage when if he got put on the 3rd line wing or wasn't immediately handed PP time. Much better to keep him hungry by sending him down and then telling him to earn a spot for next year when he's fully fit. But if they feel he deserves a game/9, then so be it. I just hope people would accept where he ended up getting played.

You just wrote a novel to respond to a sarcastic post.

[RyZ]

Send him right to Kingston and then have him join up with Adirondak after his OHL season is done.

I dont think there is any reason for him to play in Calgary at all this season.

[mrkajz44]

I'm not sure you can miss half the season and then do a 2 week "conditioning stint" and be ready for the rest of the NHL season. Head back to the OHL and play there and see where things shake out next year.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

I want to be careful not to generalize a herd opinion, but I do find it odd that it seems like usually the vocal majority supports not rushing prospects into the line-up (the "Detroit" model gets thrown around a lot). Yet when it comes to Bennett, the vocal majority seems to want him thrown in to the AHL or NHL ASAP.

I take exception to your use of the term "thrown in" as it is applied to Bennett, since it implies that he will be thrust into on ice situations in which he will be immediately outmatched or over his head. It is on the contrary very possible for him to be eased into action in the AHL, and for him to work his way into form, and up the lineup. If he does well, then keep testing him at gradually higher levels. If he struggles, then send him on to Kingston.

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

I can just see a nightmare scenario where he hits the ice and blows his shoulder out the first time someone just cranks him. I would really feel a lot less anxious if he were eased into it slower given his size, recent surgery and lack of recent game action.

Here again is a key term that I believe you have misapplied to mean that Bennett can ONLY pace himself to NHL-playing game shape in the OHL. This is not true. He can—and most certainly will, if he finds himself in Adirondack—be "eased into" shape while playing in the AHL.

As for your "nightmare scenario," I find this to be a practically irrational concern. The Flames ARE NOT going to get him into game action without absolute assurance that the shoulder is COMPLETELY HEALED. He will be no more prone to injury than any other healthy player. As noted in several previous posts, he is not a china doll.

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Seriously, what's the rush? Year 2 of the re-build...

Why is adding Bennett to the Flames akin to "rushing" him? If he is not ready, and was then inserted into a NHL game, THAT would be rushing him. If he provides every indication that he can play at the NHL level, and can contribute to the team's success, then he SHOULD play.