Sam Bennett/Kingston Frontenacs discussion

[Rubicant]

Originally Posted by J epworth

I know you only saw him once this year so far, but how did he look compared to the top scorers this season, i.e. Marner, McDavid, Dvorak? Just as dominant with the puck?

I've actually seen him twice since coming back. The first game kingston really didn't get a lot going so he wasn't quite so noticeable. It was one of his first games back.

This time he had the puck and was controlling the play whenever he was on the ice. My only negative would be that he does try to skate through defencemen which won't work very often in the nhl. I'm sure he will adjust

I can't comment on marner or Dvorak as i couldnt make it to that game. Mcdavid however is the best player in this league. He has the best control of the puck, speed, balance, and passing ability. Bennett is also very good at all of those things, but mcdavid is better imo.

[Fl4me5]

Originally Posted by MattyC

"Oh he was sour. He was pissed off. He felt he was part of the team. He thought that he was not only ready, but that he could help."

He framed it not in a bad way, not whining. But basically begging the GM to let him help the team. Dude is going to be a force.

Long time lurker, finally got my account validated so I can share my story.

I saw Sam at YYC while he was waiting for his flight back to Toronto. He was undeniably extremely pissed off, I tried approaching him and he just blew me off. The odd few people did recognize him but he was giving off such a negative aura that no one wanted to bother him.

In terms of size, the kid is definitely over 6' and although I had never seen him prior, he definitely looks like he's put some weight and muscle on. Purely athletic body. Looking forward to seeing this guy in the lineup.

Bonus Creeper Pic:

[Rhettzky]

Did you follow him into the bathroom like assgrabberSteve? Cause that's bonus points.

[troutman]

WHL site is buggy - can't figure out how Leon is doing . . .

[burn_this_city]

I still think they should have given him a game or two before sending him down. He's too good for the OHL at this point. We could have used the tenacity for the stretch run.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by troutman

WHL site is buggy - can't figure out how Leon is doing . . .

honestly, he's killing it. Not 2ppg, but over 1.5. I was definitely selling myself on Draisaitl last year because I didn't think we'd get a Sam. We lucked out, but Leon should be a good player until the Oilers ruin him.

[GioforPM]

Bennett >> Draisaitl, IMO.

But the fact Leon is killing in the W should temper somewhat the notion that Bennett would have been a huge contributer to the Flames if they'd kept him up, based on his Kingston play. Leon was terrible in the NHL, at a far less crucial time, and on a team where he was gifted way more minutes than Sam could expect.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Leon was terrible in the NHL, at a far less crucial time, and on a team where he was gifted way more minutes than Sam could expect.

Cause and effect. He was given a job that he had no idea how to handle.

If Bennett had made the Flames out of training camp, he'd probably have got limited minutes playing on the wing – and that is precisely why he would likely have done better than Draisaitl did. You don't teach a kid to swim by pushing him off the diving board into the deep end of the pool.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by nik-

honestly, he's killing it. Not 2ppg, but over 1.5. I was definitely selling myself on Draisaitl last year because I didn't think we'd get a Sam. We lucked out, but Leon should be a good player until the Oilers ruin him.

Yeah, there is nothing wrong with Draisaitl as a prospect. He clearly wasn't NHL ready though, which is perfectly fine. For his sake, hopefully the Oilers don't ruin him.

26 games played, 16 goals and 43 points in the WHL since being sent down.

If it was allowed, the AHL probably would have been good for him.

[heep223]

It's great that Bennett is doing well! And I personally feel like he has all the tools to translate it to the NHL and am really excited about it. But just because he's producing at that rate in the OHL does not mean he's ready for the NHL necessarily. It certainly isn't evidence that "see, he should be playing for the Flames" and that they shouldn't have sent him down.

Not to be the porcupine at the balloon party, but we had another prospect who scored at a 2 PPG clip in Junior (he who must not be named in any thread but his own). I'm not making comparisons here by any means and I think Bennett is going to be our future #1 C, but production in junior is one thing and translating it immediately to the NHL is another. Let him rip it up and learn, in junior and then in the AHL with men after his season is over.

It almost seems like his biggest weakness right now is learning how to protect himself properly. Based on comments from Conroy/Tre and even the poster above who says he keeps trying to go right through defenders. Which is one of those "good problems" because it shows how passionate he is.

[PeteMoss]

Keep in mind that Draisaitl is a year old than Bennett in terms of minor/junior hockey (i.e. Draisaitl can play in the AHL next year, Bennett can't). Even if they were producing at the same level (Bennett is also on a much worse team), Bennett's season would be get the edge.

EDIT: Sven's 2 PPG season was also in his age 19 year (i.e. Bennett's next year). Sven at 18 - 1.29PPG.

[EldrickOnIce]

There is no way, if the Flames are still playing when Bennett's season in Kingston is over, that he doesn't join the Flames, imo.
Draisaitl doesn't skate well enough for his game to translate, at this point. 1.5 points per game in the WHL is indeed ripping it up.

[Matata]

Originally Posted by nik-

honestly, he's killing it. Not 2ppg, but over 1.5. I was definitely selling myself on Draisaitl last year because I didn't think we'd get a Sam. We lucked out, but Leon should be a good player until the Oilers ruin him.

He's still scoring at the same pace he was at during his draft year, while playing on a loaded team.

[Tron_fdc]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

Keep in mind that Draisaitl is a year old than Bennett in terms of minor/junior hockey (i.e. Draisaitl can play in the AHL next year, Bennett can't). Even if they were producing at the same level (Bennett is also on a much worse team), Bennett's season would be get the edge.

EDIT: Sven's 2 PPG season was also in his age 19 year (i.e. Bennett's next year). Sven at 18 - 1.29PPG.

Bennett is also only 6 months older than Mcdavid, who is the most hyped up prospect since Crosby.

Kid is going to be a game changer.

[Robbob]

I think it is going to be skating ability that really helps out Bennett when he tries to make that step into the NHL. That is one area Draisaitl needs to work on, or not. I am sure he is just fine as is for Edmonton. You don't want to be skating around to quickly in that arena as you might overlook the jersey on the ice.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by 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.

Was Iginla called up for the entire series, or only after our backs were against the wall, down 3-0 or 3-1 or something? I honestly can't remember, but I didn't think he was called up until things were going very badly and the team was looking to add a spark?

[Steve Bozek]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

Was Iginla called up for the entire series, or only after our backs were against the wall, down 3-0 or 3-1 or something? I honestly can't remember, but I didn't think he was called up until things were going very badly and the team was looking to add a spark?

I think he was just called up as soon as his junior team was eliminated from the WHL playoffs, and the Flames were making their usual unsuccessful first round playoff appearance.

[Robbob]

Iginla was called up after the Blazers were eliminated in the playoffs. It was game 3 vs the Hawks. He got a point in the loss and then another point in game 4 triple OT loss.

[Igster]

Can you imagine the Flames in the playoffs, Bennett called up and becomes a difference maker?

Yeah...I know it's a long shot but still...that would be an awesome story.

[automaton 3]

Kelowna is a stacked team right now - I like Draisaitl but his numbers should be taken with a grain of salt.

It looks like Bennett has nothing more to prove in junior. Hopefully the Flames are still playing once his junior season is over.