[NEWS] Flames assign Sam Bennett to Kingston Frontenacs

[Bandwagon In Flames]

Can't be upset about this move. Even from an asset management perspective it makes the most sense. We just have too much depth and would prosper more from seeing what our AHL guys can step in and do. Might be able to get a look and see if someone like Hanowski, Agostino, or Elson is worth signing to an NHL contract in the off-season.

[Finger Cookin]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

signing bonuses are paid out July 1st (or when the contract was signed if July 1st has passed) regardless of games played.

Exactly. So even with his bonus, he's almost earned enough to be a regular contributor on CP.

[DropIt]

Originally Posted by nemanja2306

Boo. This sucks. I can't see the harm in sending him to Addy. He could just as easily get hurt in Kingston

Except he is playing against 19 and 20 year olds in Kingston vs playing against upwards of 30 year old grown men. Remember he hasnt played in about a year

[getbak]

Originally Posted by nemanja2306

Wouldn't he get his NHL salary? As far as I know, the teams have to pay their players on IR. Bennett wouldn't be any different.

No, because his injury occurred during the offseason, he was classified as "injured - non-roster" rather than the standard injured reserve. If he had played one NHL regular season game, then had the surgery, he would have been paid his NHL salary all season.

[Bingo]

http://www.kingstonfrontenacs.com/ar...ennett-is-back

"Sam is a complete player with exception talent, and we are thrilled to have
him back in our lineup," said General Manager Doug Gilmour.

[getbak]

Just Tweeted by the Frontenacs...



Safe to say they're happy to have him back.

[transplant99]

Without question this is the prudent decision.

Just wouldn't be fair to throw a kid into a playoff battle with professionals after not playing for 5 months. Regardless if it was in Calgary or Addy.

[Madrox]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

edit: actually he got paid a pro-rated $10 500

Can you clarify that? Is that a weekly/monthly/season number? I would have assumed as a player on an NHL roster that he would have gotten an NHL wage, even though he wasn't playing any games.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by doncherry

Glad to hear this, as much as we are all excited to see Bennett with the big club, I'm glad management resisted the oileresque move to throw him in now

Good job, Flames.

But just to be clear here, the "oileresque move" would be to have added Bennett to the Flames roster if he was not ready to play in the NHL, not because he is only 18-years-old. I'm sure this is the best decision, but won't be the least bit surprised to see him back in Calgary or in Adirondack later this year, pending the outcome of Kingston's season. If he tears up the OHL, he should get the opportunity to prove himself at another level.

Give 'em hell, Sam.

[Mony]

Absolutely the correct call. IMO a cup of coffee was out of the question in this circumstance when you could send him to Kingston first and foremost. Rip 'em a new one down there, Bennett.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Rerun

Disappointed that we won't see him play a few games here in Calgary but if management feels this is the best course of action, its ok with me.

Me too, but that disappointment hit me back at the end of September when we realized he would miss most of the season. Never really expected to see him in the NHL this season after that.

Maybe a minority opinion, but I thought back in camp, he was only borderline ready physically.

The OHL isn't nearly as physical of a league compared to the AHL and NHL. It's not even close. I feel much better knowing that he will be eased into it more going back to junior having not played in a long time.

Sam Bennett is possibly the best prospect this team has had and I'm glad management is showing patience and not experimenting with his future. We have a lot of time left in the rebuild, so a conservative approach is good to have.

[Bingo]

Will be interesting to see how he does given a bunch of variables.

1. hasn't played in a long time
2. but averaged 1.6 pts/game last year at an age almost 18 months younger that Monahan, while Monahan was 1.36 in his last junior season
3. he put up the 1.6 with one shoulder
4. he's been in a pro environment for 9 months soaking a lot in.

I see that as one negative and a bunch of positives

[badger89]

So glad this has been announced so that the speculation can finally end. This is so obviously the right move.

[sureLoss]

Kingston is the 2nd lowest scoring team in the OHL with 2.70 goals per game, but that is without Bennett and Watson (missed half the season so far with injury).

Just for comparison Sault St. Marie is he highest scoring team and scores 4.96 goals per game.

Average for the OHL is 3.48 goals scored per game.

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Kingston is the 2nd lowest scoring team in the OHL with 2.70 goals per game, but that is without Bennett and Watson (missed half the season so far with injury).

Just for comparison Sault St. Marie is he highest scoring team and scores 4.96 goals per game.

Average for the OHL is 3.48 goals scored per game.

The new Kingston game plan... pass the puck, at every opportunity, to Bennett.

[Tinordi]

Made no sense to rush this kid.

[Goodlad]

I almost feel bad for whichever team he plays his first game back against. Hasn't played a game since October? That's a ton of pent up energy for a kid that's known to play with an edge. What's the over/under on PIM for him in his season debut?

[albertGQ]

He got paid his AHL salary while on IR. So he made like $90k

He was up with the Flames for 2/3. So got paid around $60j

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by albertGQ

He got paid his AHL salary while on IR. So he made like $90k

He was up with the Flames for 2/3. So got paid around $60j

???????

[FlameZilla]

Hard to argue with this decision.

Maybe we'll see him for a game or 2 in April.