QOTD: What will the Flames do with Sam Bennett?

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

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.


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.


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.

To me, AHL first then NHL if he looks like he can contribute. Few NHL veterans can do that though after 4 months rehabbing so I'm not holding my breath that an 18 year old who's never played in the NHL can. Having said that, most NHL vets with a guaranteed spot don't have the energy and drive that an 18 year old high draft pick would.

Totally agree about the injury. Why would they risk bringing him back at less than 100%?

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by 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.

There is a lot of compelling evidence to suggest that this particular surgery and rehab will dramatically improve the strength and durability of his shoulder. Most recently, this is the same surgery for the same injury that was performed on Taylor Hall and Emile Poirier, and the physical returns for each player have been pretty convincing.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

To me, AHL first then NHL if he looks like he can contribute. Few NHL veterans can do that though after 4 months rehabbing so I'm not holding my breath that an 18 year old who's never played in the NHL can. Having said that, most NHL vets with a guaranteed spot don't have the energy and drive that an 18 year old high draft pick would.

This is pretty much my thinking as well. I will be quite surprised if Bennett plays games in Calgary this year, but I also feel strongly that the Flames need to keep pushing him, monitoring his progress, and testing for his current ceiling. They can't really do that once he is in Kingston. The longer he stays with the Flames, the more control they have on his development, and he is an important enough of a prospect for them to ensure that they maximise the opportunity to keep him close at hand.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

To me, AHL first then NHL if he looks like he can contribute. Few NHL veterans can do that though after 4 months rehabbing so I'm not holding my breath that an 18 year old who's never played in the NHL can. Having said that, most NHL vets with a guaranteed spot don't have the energy and drive that an 18 year old high draft pick would.

Totally agree about the injury. Why would they risk bringing him back at less than 100%?

I agree, but I really don't think there is a way to measure exactly what percent someone has recovered. They can have an educated guess, but the only way to know for sure is to try it out in game situations. If it was easy to be absolutely certain, we wouldn't see situations where players come back too soon and get re-injured. It would be easier if it was like a video game and he had a little progress bar over him.

The AHL would be better than the NHL to see, but even the AHL is a very hard hitting and physical league. I just don't see the risk/reward being worth it at this point. He is too valuable to the future of this organization to take the risk.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

I agree, but I really don't think there is a way to measure exactly what percent someone has recovered. They can have an educated guess, but the only way to know for sure is to try it out in game situations. If it was easy to be absolutely certain, we wouldn't see situations where players come back too soon and get re-injured. It would be easier if it was like a video game and he had a little progress bar over him.

The reason this continues to (only very occasionally) happen is because players are rushed back by mitigating circumstances; usually because their presence in the lineup is viewed as essential to the team's success, even when players and coaches are aware that the injury is not fully healed. I can't see any reason for concern that the Flames will treat Bennett likewise. They will be as sure as they can be before getting him into ANY sort of professional game action.

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

The AHL would be better than the NHL to see, but even the AHL is a very hard hitting and physical league. I just don't see the risk/reward being worth it at this point. He is too valuable to the future of this organization to take the risk.

The risk is pretty small in the event that the Flames do their due diligence. The reward is that Bennett could potentially make a very important contribution to the Flames' success this season.

[GoJetsGo]

Where is the option for "whatever they feel like they want to do with him.. gosh!"

I don't know what it is about this topic, but it certainly brings out the blow-hards on this site who feel the need to act like they're 100% they know what's going to happen / is best.

Way too many people talking like they're in the know about something we have no idea about.

[northcrunk]

I would trust the medical staff with the flames way more than Kingston. I might be tempted to keep him up as long as possible for that reason alone.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by northcrunk

I would trust the medical staff with the flames way more than Kingston. I might be tempted to keep him up as long as possible for that reason alone.

Absolutely.

[FlameZilla]

What's the difference between options 2 & 3? To me a 'cup of coffee' more or less equates to a trial period with the team...

Bennett is itching to prove himself. He seems more intensely driven than your average player. Wouldn't surprise me if he bulldozed his way onto the team. Possibly at the expense of Mason Raymond or Curtis Glencross.

[Coach]

Has Bennett been making money while with the Flames? I'm sure they're putting him up in a hotel and keeping an eye on him, but I'm curious as what the rules are for him. Is he still getting his peanuts from the WHL? Or is he just in kind of a weird no-earnings black hole?

[Sylvanfan]

I failed to read the question thouroughly...Flames will give him a conditioning stint and than let him play some NHL games.

I think they should put him straight back to Junior and start fresh at camp next year.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by MattyC

Has Bennett been making money while with the Flames? I'm sure they're putting him up in a hotel and keeping an eye on him, but I'm curious as what the rules are for him. Is he still getting his peanuts from the WHL? Or is he just in kind of a weird no-earnings black hole?

He's on the roster - I assume he's paid NHL dollars.

[JohnnySkittles]

Straight to junior, its what's best.

[nemanja2306]

Originally Posted by JohnnySkittles

Straight to junior, its what's best.

I fail to see that. Why not give him a shot in the AHL first?

[Vinny01]

I would be shocked if he went straight to junior. I am sure with his daily skates the coaching staff is getting a good idea where he is at physically and mentally. I really think this kid is the crown jewel of our rebuild which says a lot considering the success both Monahan and Gaudreau have had at the NHL level.

I would love for him to come in and play at a ppg pace but that is unrealistic and sending him to junior gives the fans something to be excited about next year.

[foshizzle11]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

He's on the roster - I assume he's paid NHL dollars.

Really? I thought it was decided that he wasn't on the roster and he wasn't counted in the player count, ie we have more roster spots with him off the official roster list.

So if he is activated, he has a spot or a roster spot will have to be made for him? I thought it was the latter.

[Fire]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

He's on the roster - I assume he's paid NHL dollars.

It has been determined in the other thread that he gets paid AHL dollars because he hasn't played enough NHL games to get his NHL salary while he's injured.

[MrMastodonFarm]

The Flames should give Bennett the same miracle recovery pills they gave Backlund.

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

The Flames should give Bennett the same miracle recovery pills they gave Backlund.

Open him up again and install cyborg mesh?

[Poe969]

That stuff they gave Backlund can't be trusted....it healed him quickly but doesn't it make the next injury come even quicker?