[Rumour] Flames recall Sam Bennett. UPD: Flames still deciding on AHL or NHL

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by gvitaly

Everyone hold on just a second! What makes everyone think he will be an immediate contributor at the NHL level? I realize that Bennett has shown great character and attitude so far combined with a couple good months in junior, but he was far from amazing during the training camp.

In Penticton he played quite well posting 1G 2A in 3GP, but that was playing other prospects. During the training camp in 3GP he posted 2A and he was a -1. He was far from dominant, aside from the one game against Van where he had 7 shots and 2 hits, aside from the helper.

I don't criticize Bennett, and I think he will be a great prospect. I just don't expect him to be a game changer right from the get go. He is already over hyped in Calgary because of his draft position, but bringing him to the Flames right now could be setting him up to fail. *cough* *cough* Baertschi anyone? He was a great contributor in his first couple of games, and now what. It all depends on Bennett's character, and I doubt it will be a problem... I just think that everyone needs to take a deep breath and stop looking at Bennett as god's savior for a while.

Bennett was the best player on the ice in his opening preseason game. You also realize he performed in training camp and Penticton with a bum shoulder right?

He might not produce right away but watching this team they need a spark and he has the potential to provide it. Perhaps he will be like Johnny and take a while to find his game at the NHL level or maybe he will be like Monahan or Sven and score in bunches in his first few games?

Ice the best roster possible right now. The style Bennett plays could be infectious and run off on his line mates and spark a line other than the top line.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

This is laughable in my opinion. You talk like the whole forward group is laying amazing and no one deserves to sit. Colborne has been taking numerous bad penalties and his offense has dried up. Raymond is a complete waste of $3M cap space with a measly 21pts on the year and invisible most nights. Granlund has not looked that great over the past few games. Anyone on that line could sit ahead of Bennett.

This ridiculous reach you have about pissing off the locker room by gifting a spot to Sam is a bunk theory. Players on that roster know that this was the top rated skater by Central Scouting. They know he is the top prospect and a big part of the future.

The current third line is a mess and adding Bennett to that line and likely second PP unit is a risk worth taking.

It's laughable to me that you think any of the players give a crap about where Bennett was rated by central scouting. Lots of busts and lots of guys like Jooris and Gio that have made it that throw that all out the window. Making the NHL is hard, Bennett hasn't proven he even deserves to be in the league yet because he hasn't played a game.

You are seriously giving the current Flames players far too much credit in regards to how they are going to take a rookie with no experience coming in to play in the most exciting games of the year that they've worked so hard to make the most exciting games of the year. This is a results oriented business, and if the results come from putting Bennett in, no one will question it, if they don't, guys are going to wonder why the Flames gambled a roster spot on an unproven rookie when we had a bunch of healthy bodies available who were "good enough" to get a team that was picked to finish dead last in the league to a spot where they were in the playoffs before inserting the rookie.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by stemit14

So is Bennett just waiting at home for the call as to where he is going to go? Or is he on his way to adirondack and the flames will send him from there to Edmonton if they decide to bring him for Saturday's game?

Seems strange to announce a call up but not say where.

The Flames haven't announced anything. Right now, it's just media speculation (possibly fueled by conversations with their unnamed sources).

Adirondack plays in San Antonio tomorrow and Toronto on Tuesday. So, if he goes to the AHL, they'll likely just tell him to go to his parents' place for now and meet the team when they get to Toronto on Sunday or Monday. If he's going to Edmonton, he's likely already in transit, either at the airport or in the air (he could already be there and just waiting for the team).

Just because they haven't told us, doesn't mean they haven't told him.

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

You are seriously giving the current Flames players far too much credit in regards to how they are going to take a rookie with no experience coming in to play in the most exciting games of the year that they've worked so hard to make the most exciting games of the year.

Good lord.

If you'd just stated your opinion and moved on it would be one thing. But the hyperbolae and exaggeration are now at the point where it's clear you just don't want anyone disagreeing with you.

This is a team of professionals. They have had guys like Granlund and Porrier come in and play ahead of veterans all season, including as of late.

Your suggested mental make-up of some of these guys (who again, at the most pivotol point of the season are NOT producing) is getting ridiculous.

[bob-loblaw]

I think Hartley was quoted as saying Sam would have made the team out of training camp. That was with a bad wing. I highly doubt he'd play in Adirondack next year anyways so bring him here now and set him loose on the Oilers. His relentlessness and drive could be infectious on the team regardless of how much he plays.

[tvp2003]

Consider this the silver lining of Bennett getting injured... if he starts the season with the flames, he probably burns through his first nine games and most likely gets sent back to Kingston. Not wanting to burn the first year of his ELC, this conversation doesn't even happen.

We can now bring him in and use him for up to 9 games when we could really use him -- don't waste it Treliving.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

It's laughable to me that you think any of the players give a crap about where Bennett was rated by central scouting. Lots of busts and lots of guys like Jooris and Gio that have made it that throw that all out the window. Making the NHL is hard, Bennett hasn't proven he even deserves to be in the league yet because he hasn't played a game.

You are seriously giving the current Flames players far too much credit in regards to how they are going to take a rookie with no experience coming in to play in the most exciting games of the year that they've worked so hard to make the most exciting games of the year. This is a results oriented business, and if the results come from putting Bennett in, no one will question it, if they don't, guys are going to wonder why the Flames gambled a roster spot on an unproven rookie when we had a bunch of healthy bodies available who were "good enough" to get a team that was picked to finish dead last in the league to a spot where they were in the playoffs before inserting the rookie.

If Sam gets a game and looks completely out of place sit him or send him down. This group that has worked hard to get where they are has several passengers right now and these spots should be vunerable. Again I am looking at that Raymond-Granlund-Colborne line and asking what they have done to continue to earn their spots? This line gets pinned in their zone all the time and rarely generates scoring chances.

The players are not ignorant to the fact Sam is the franchises prized prospect. Many in that room likely see what young players such as Monahan and Gaudreua have done this year and resize Sam is considered a key piece along with them. He is not coming in to take a top 6 role, he would be replacing a line that has been pretty awful.

I juts don't buy for one second that the entire team will be pissed if Bennett comes in and gets a look over an under achiever. We are talking about a team that is being carried by Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler offensively. They need a spark

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

Good lord.

If you'd just stated your opinion and moved on it would be one thing. But the hyperbolae and exaggeration are now at the point where it's clear you just don't want anyone disagreeing with you.

This is a team of professionals. They have had guys like Granlund and Porrier come in and play ahead of veterans all season, including as of late.

Your suggested mental make-up of some of these guys (who again, at the most pivotol point of the season are NOT producing) is getting ridiculous.

I'm actually enjoying the conversation / debate, why I come here. I kind of like the back and forth and people keep responding to my comments. I'm under no illusions that any of the people I'm replying to are going to change their mind. They want to see Bennett up, and if the Flames don't play him, it will be a lost opportunity in their mind.

Please feel free to move along and no longer engage me in conversation, stop replying to me or put me on ignore, but replying to me is not a good way to not get me to respond.

[DropIt]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

This makes no sense. He is playing the Oilers and Coyotes 2 of the bottom 3 teams in the league and the perfect competition for him to face. AHL makes absolutely no sense. He has spent the majority of the year with the Flams in calgary. He has relationships with the team and coaches and nothing with addy. Calgary is where he should play

Apparently it makes a little bit of sense doesnt it?

[J epworth]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

It's laughable to me that you think any of the players give a crap about where Bennett was rated by central scouting. Lots of busts and lots of guys like Jooris and Gio that have made it that throw that all out the window. Making the NHL is hard, Bennett hasn't proven he even deserves to be in the league yet because he hasn't played a game.

You are seriously giving the current Flames players far too much credit in regards to how they are going to take a rookie with no experience coming in to play in the most exciting games of the year that they've worked so hard to make the most exciting games of the year. This is a results oriented business, and if the results come from putting Bennett in, no one will question it, if they don't, guys are going to wonder why the Flames gambled a roster spot on an unproven rookie when we had a bunch of healthy bodies available who were "good enough" to get a team that was picked to finish dead last in the league to a spot where they were in the playoffs before inserting the rookie.

You are seriously not giving the Flames enough credit to accept someone whose been with the team the entire year, practiced with the team, worked out with the team, went to team meetings etc. is actually a part of the Calgary Flames. This isn't some guy no one is familiar with, everyone on the team knows exactly what he would bring to the ice. They know how hard he worked to get healthy, and how much he sacrificed already for the Flames. I 100% guarantee not one player on that team would second guess the Flames bringing him back for the end of the year.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

If Sam gets a game and looks completely out of place sit him or send him down. This group that has worked hard to get where they are has several passengers right now and these spots should be vunerable. Again I am looking at that Raymond-Granlund-Colborne line and asking what they have done to continue to earn their spots? This line gets pinned in their zone all the time and rarely generates scoring chances.

The players are not ignorant to the fact Sam is the franchises prized prospect. Many in that room likely see what young players such as Monahan and Gaudreua have done this year and resize Sam is considered a key piece along with them. He is not coming in to take a top 6 role, he would be replacing a line that has been pretty awful.

I juts don't buy for one second that the entire team will be pissed if Bennett comes in and gets a look over an under achiever. We are talking about a team that is being carried by Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler offensively. They need a spark

I actually agree with you, they need a spark. I do however think the way a team responds to an unproven rookie is very different at the start of the year, or the middle of the year, versus right now, 4 games left with a playoff spot on the line. They don't have the time or energy to think about how to help Sam be better in the long run or teach him to be a pro right now because eventually that will help the team. They need him to pull his weight all on his own from the drop of the puck.

Anyway, regardless of what happens, the fact that the Flames are clearly debating this among themselves has to suggest they have some serious concerns on potential downside to this move. If was as easy as throw the kid in, see what he's got and if it doesn't work out he can sit after game one, it would be a no brainer. I'd suggest it's pretty obvious they see the timing of this as a very complicated decision.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by J epworth

You are seriously not giving the Flames enough credit to accept someone whose been with the team the entire year, practiced with the team, worked out with the team, went to team meetings etc. is actually a part of the Calgary Flames. This isn't some guy no one is familiar with, everyone on the team knows exactly what he would bring to the ice. They know how hard he worked to get healthy, and how much he sacrificed already for the Flames. I 100% guarantee not one player on that team would second guess the Flames bringing him back for the end of the year.

I would suggest you have never been around a competitive athlete then. I agree with you, the guys likely respect Bennett for what he's done, but there is no way any of the existing players view him as an upgrade over themselves in the short run, and there is a huge difference between having been around the guys while recovering from injury, and actually being one of them after battling in the trenches with them all season long.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

All they will see is a guy who hasn't played a pro game and hasn't proven #### took a spot from someone with pro experience who has earned it all year long. Trust me, even the Raymond or the Shore's of the world aren't sitting here right now going, well that Bennett guy is better than me right now at hockey, hope they call him up and he takes my spot, cause that's what's good for the team. Everyone in that dressing room right now has proven something at the NHL level, and that's all that matters to them.

Well boo hoo, if they haven't been producing then they know they have no right to complain if a guy comes in and takes a spot from them.

Only Stajan, Byron, and Jooris have really earned consistent minutes in the bottom 6. Two of them are injured right now.

Colborne, Raymond, Granlund have all had their struggles and I'm sure they know it.

Ferland and Shore have played well intermittently but know they need to play better and more consistently before they can sit down and assume they've gotten a roster spot.

Bollig... shouldn't even be in the conversation.

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

Anyway, regardless of what happens, the fact that the Flames are clearly debating this among themselves has to suggest they have some serious concerns on potential downside to this move.

So because we haven't been privy to the internal discussions we can conclude they are weighing your concerns? For all we know a decision was reached last night. The fact nothing has been officially announced yet doesn't lead us to any conclusions.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

So because we haven't been privy to the internal discussions we can conclude they are weighing your concerns? For all we know a decision was reached last night. The fact nothing has been officially announced yet doesn't lead us to any conclusions.

I thought you wanted me to stop posting on this topic, why are you replying to me? I agree, maybe it has been a slam dunk, but I'll trust that when certain insiders are suggesting the Flames aren't sure what they are doing, it likely means the Flames aren't 100% sure what to do.

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

I would suggest you have never been around a competitive athlete then. I agree with you, the guys likely respect Bennett for what he's done, but there is no way any of the existing players view him as an upgrade over themselves in the short run, and there is a huge difference between having been around the guys while recovering from injury, and actually being one of them after battling in the trenches with them all season long.

Again, these are competitive guys who no doubt have this feeling when anyone replaces them in a game. So Bolig can sit for Ferland, but if it were to be Bennett he'd be so upset it would effect moral? Nonsense. Granlund and Porier have come up and replaced regulars at very important points of the season. They're all competitive and want to play. Suggesting that inserting Bennett would be any different or have a irreversible effect on moral is another stretch.

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

I thought you wanted me to stop posting on this topic, why are you replying to me? I agree, maybe it has been a slam dunk, but I'll trust that when certain insiders are suggesting the Flames aren't sure what they are doing, it likely means the Flames aren't 100% sure what to do.

I said you should stop with the hyperbolae and exaggeration. If you don't like having some of your more suspect points critiqued, perhaps you should stop.

Supposed insiders have already had him on route to Edmonton. No one knows what's going on and just because there hasn't been an official Flames tweet or press release is not indicative of anything in particular.

[J epworth]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

I would suggest you have never been around a competitive athlete then. I agree with you, the guys likely respect Bennett for what he's done, but there is no way any of the existing players view him as an upgrade over themselves in the short run, and there is a huge difference between having been around the guys while recovering from injury, and actually being one of them after battling in the trenches with them all season long.

I am a competitive athlete, not that I have to prove anything with you, but I played with a bunch of guys who are in the NHL right now, plus worked with an OHL team for a year while I was in university. I now coach minor hockey and definitely know and understand locker room dynamics. If you read my post I never was saying that players would view Bennett as an upgrade, they view him as PART of the team. Being part of a competitive team means putting yourself second to the good of the team. It doesn't matter if they think they are better than Bennett right now, and they know it doesn't matter. They know that he's a part of the group, and if he's given the chance he will help just as they would help if they were called upon.

Again it's not like he's just this high ranked prospect that dominated the OHL. He's a guy whose been in Calgary training with them all year, and he's just another one of the rookies. The guys wouldn't look at him as this "usurper" or some guy who is just riding the coattails of their hard work. They would want the team to do whatever they can to help put the Flames over the top, and if they think playing Bennett would do that, they would be 100% behind that decision. That's what being a close group and good teammate is all about, and the Flames are a team full of those players.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Well boo hoo, if they haven't been producing then they know they have no right to complain if a guy comes in and takes a spot from them.

Only Stajan, Byron, and Jooris have really earned consistent minutes in the bottom 6. Two of them are injured right now.

Colborne, Raymond, Granlund have all had their struggles and I'm sure they know it.

Ferland and Shore have played well intermittently but know they need to play better and more consistently before they can sit down and assume they've gotten a roster spot.

Bollig... shouldn't even be in the conversation.

The problem is Bennett has no pro results to justify them bringing him up. I'm sure every guy you mentioned would be lighting it up in the OHL right now too if that's where they were playing.

Your post is a classic example of the different mindsets. You are expecting the players already in the line up to prove they deserve their spot of which ever rookie you'd like to see be put in their place, versus what the real situation is which is that where every rookie actually needs to prove that they deserve to take the spot away from the veteran or existing player.

The problem with the Bennett situation is with 4 games left there is no opportunity to do that. If this was the beginning of the season, or the middle, you could call him up with no pro hockey back up and tell the veteran to deal with it while we see what this kid has got, after all how else are you going to evaluate him. Lot's of time to figure it out and right the ship.

Do it now with 4 games left, the most important 4 games left on the schedule, and you are sitting someone in the most exciting games of the year, games they likely feel they earned the right to play in, and what makes it worst is it's for a guy that's never proven anything at the pro level. That's not something you can make up for to said player later in the season, it's forever a lost opportunity. That's what makes this a risk, you almost need this move to work out if you don't want it to be taken negatively by some / many players.

Anyone who doesn't think this is a lot more complicated than simply adding him to the line up is fooling themselves.

[Travis Munroe]

My ideal lineup Saturday...
2nd and 3rd line need a serious shake up. Hartleys Bouma Back Jones line was solid for a bit but it is time for a change of scenery.

Johny - Mony - Hudler (hottest line in the NHL)
Backlund - Bennett - Bouma ( A healthy dose of grit and natural skill )
Jones - Colborne - Raymond ( always like putting 3 cold players together to bust each other out of it)
Ferland - Stajan - Shore (worked awesome together in back to back games)