Sam Bennett/Kingston Frontenacs discussion

[tvp2003]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Once his CHL rights holder's season is over, he can be assigned to Calgary or Adirondack. Whichever the Flames choose.

Once Kingston is done for the season, and assuming both the NHL and AHL Flames are still in action (I.e. Playoffs), I could see another huge debate about whether Sam goes to Calgary or Adirondack.

And you thought the "Where should Sam go" threads earlier in the season were overkill...

[GioforPM]

I think you'd bring him up like Iggy. Even just for the experience.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I think you'd bring him up like Iggy. Even just for the experience.

Absolutely.
He won't play a single AHL game

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by tvp2003

Once Kingston is done for the season, and assuming both the NHL and AHL Flames are still in action (I.e. Playoffs), I could see another huge debate about whether Sam goes to Calgary or Adirondack.

And you thought the "Where should Sam go" threads earlier in the season were overkill...

I don't think he'll ever be assigned to the AHL

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

I don't think he'll ever be assigned to the AHL

I don't know if I want to risk blowing a year of his ELC on 3 regular season games + 7 playoff games in a year with no Gio

[druetetective]

Is it premature to say for the first time ever we have the best drafted prospect in all of hockey?

[albertGQ]

Who was that poster again that declared Bennett should spend all of next season in the OHL regardless of how he did the rest of this season and in next season's training camp?

I wonder if that poster still feels the same way

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

I don't know if I want to risk blowing a year of his ELC on 3 regular season games + 7 playoff games in a year with no Gio

Small price to pay for that kind of development experience

[Matata]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

I don't know if I want to risk blowing a year of his ELC on 3 regular season games + 7 playoff games in a year with no Gio

7+ playoff games could very likely mean the flames beat one of Nashville, Anaheim or Vancouver in the first round. I'll take it.

[Tyler]

4 points for Bennett tonight. Booyaa

[dino7c]

his numbers are pretty incredible for a guy who didnt play a meaningful game in almost a freaking year

[Racki]

I knew that it was possible he would start slow with 5 months of rust to shake off but I had a pretty good feeling he'd do well. I didn't see 15 points in 7 games coming.

He's pretty much single-handedly turned the fortunes of that team around. Going a couple of rounds in the OHL playoffs doesn't seem like a huge long shot at this point.

[jg13]

McDavid, Marner and Bennett are the only 3 players in the OHL performing at over 2 PPG.

edit: for adding a comma as I got called out by this guy below

[saXon]

Originally Posted by jg13

McDavid Marner and Bennett are the only 3 players in the OHL performing at over 2 PPG.

What's the scouting report on McDavid Marner? Must have been a late bloomer that gained some traction.

Spoiler!

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

Absolutely.
He won't play a single AHL game

Assuming this team is in the playoffs, and assuming no injuries at centre, which of our deserving centres that helped get the team to the point that they are still going in the playoffs do you sit to make room for Bennett?

While I don't think feelings are what matter at that point in the season, ice your best team. But how does one really make a case that Bennett is an upgrade over what we have on the ice right now, given he hasn't been given the opportunity to prove it yet? Not meant to be a slam on Bennett, more a legit question on how one justifies bringing in a completely unproven rookie on a hunch, to a team that if this becomes an option will clearly already be firing on all cylinders?

[Street Pharmacist]

Bennett can very easily play wing. In fact, he likely will to start anyways

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

Bennett can very easily play wing. In fact, he likely will to start anyways

That's fair, question kind of remains the same though, although I agree it will be much easier on the wing.

[Obsidian]

I will be so stoked if we clinch a berth and can bring him in to help us.

I legitimately feel he could make an impact, too.

[RT14]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

Assuming this team is in the playoffs, and assuming no injuries at centre, which of our deserving centres that helped get the team to the point that they are still going in the playoffs do you sit to make room for Bennett?

While I don't think feelings are what matter at that point in the season, ice your best team. But how does one really make a case that Bennett is an upgrade over what we have on the ice right now, given he hasn't been given the opportunity to prove it yet? Not meant to be a slam on Bennett, more a legit question on how one justifies bringing in a completely unproven rookie on a hunch, to a team that if this becomes an option will clearly already be firing on all cylinders?

Honestly, what you wrote is completely understandable and reasonable. The Calgary Flames are where they are because of the team they've iced up until now (in conjunction with a coaching staff that has gotten the most out of everyone and a revolving door of players that all buy into Hartley's system and believe in eachother) and it's a risk to bring in an unproven NHLer and someone that may disrupt team chemistry. All that being said, I think it's a risk you have to take.

Let's face it, a lot of what's gotten us to this point has been in the face of injuries to regular Flames players and the call ups that proceeded. And as of now, the vast majority of call ups has proven to be an astonishing fit and timely injection of the desire to prove oneself and the passion needed to come out on top of a lot of close wins, and a league leading 3rd period comeback victories.

Sam Bennett strikes me as a small risk, huge reward type of player given what has transpired over the course of this season. If he fits in right away (which given him hanging around the team and soaking up all of the Giordano lead teams passion, is a strong possibility) it could be a huge boost for this team leading into the playoffs. If not, he plays 4th line in a few games and doesn't make much of an impact. So I don't see how you can't at least give it a shot.

[Obsidian]

The Iginla callup is a perfect comparable. You want to give all of your young, core pieces of the future the chance to experience the postseason. Could go a long way in preparing them for even bigger things down the road.