[News] Dreger: Still sizable gap between Bennett and Flames

[Toonage]

Also, if no one has said "Yeah, well there's a sizable gap between Dreger's ears" I'd like to claim that one now.

[the2bears]

Originally Posted by IgiTang

im just wondering if Bennett is a bit of a headcase, to himself... If that makes sense?

He wants to be "The Guy", has the tools to be that guy, but hasn't found the success he desired at the NHL Level. If he feels that its due to lineups and opportunity.. That's on him to a large extent. But more so, the fact that hes not quite ready for that responsibility. Not that he wont ever be able to handle it, but there are guys better than him right now.

I like his competitive nature and he wants the puck! That said, perhaps he feels he should be deferred to when skating up the ice. I think there is also a bit of pout to his game but that could be due to him feeling like he deserves more.
And who knows, maybe he would excel given that responsibility. But who does he displace?

I hope im wrong on all accounts and he see's the opportunity before him. To move forward with a young core while being sheltered so he can develop more.

If this does turn into an ugly situation, a request for a trade could certainly happen. But its unlikely that Tre would let this get out of hand.

You've noticed a "bit of pout to his game"? What does this mean?

[Rtown]

Huh. Maybe the comparisons to Gilmour were more true than we thought

[killer_carlson]

Anyone think that the backtrack tweet came after Bennett called his agent after seeing the first tweet and said to stop the BS Europe threats?

Because I read that as an agent getting an earful from his client about the public posturing.

I also suspect Bennett's phone has had a teammate or two text it this morning as well

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by Rtown

Huh. Maybe the comparisons to Gilmour were more true than we thought

Well if anything, his mentor would have advised him to not do as he did.

Letter to my Younger Self: Doug Gilmour

Kid, flush the toilet and go back to bed. Don’t listen to what’s being said. Ignorance is bliss.

Don’t lay down on the floor with your ear to the door and listen in.

You’ve just been through an arbitration hearing with the team. You’ve been in a room with the lawyers. You know they don’t want to pay you. You know there’s animosity.

You know you and Risebrough didn’t get along when you played against one another.

What do you think he’s saying? Just go back to bed.

If you lay on the floor and listen, you’re going to hear some words that are going to really piss you off, and you’re going to do something you’ll regret.

[Simon96Taco]

Originally Posted by Toonage

Also, if no one has said "Yeah, well there's a sizable gap between Dreger's ears" I'd like to claim that one now.

Please tweet this at him

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by foshizzle11

I think Sam in an intelligent guy and I think he saw how missing training camp last year played a role in how Johnny and Sean started off the season. I don't think he wants to deal with the same kind of thing. If I were him, I would sign a 1 year show me deal, I think he will be great this year. I can't wait to see how he has developed over the summer and I think he will fight to get top 6 playing time and the best part about that, is it will be tough not to promote the kid if he can play his game.

I would love to see a line with him and Chucky together at some point in time. Please make this happen.

Who's to say he doesn't want to sign a 1 year deal and it's the Flames brass that are strong arming for a longer term, low AAV deal?

No point in speculating as nobody really knows anything.

[hayduke's dad]

Originally Posted by Tyler

Go work in a mine and see if you can get people to pay to watch you. He's one of the most talented athletes in his field in the world.

He works in market that makes billions of dollars a year.

It's a business.

Life ain't fair.

Yup 26 points puts him about right up there with Croby, McDavid, and oh yeah wait Antoine Vermette only outscored him by 2 points.

Screw him go overseas. These guys are overpaid whiners. 26 points a year should not get you over $1million.

outscored by Jeff Petry (D), Zach Hyman(who?) Dion oh wait for it Phaneuf

Sorry being tied for 280th in league scoring does not put you in the most talented category. Probably guys with more talent who drank it away.

[TheFlamesVan]

Originally Posted by Toonage

Also, if no one has said "Yeah, well there's a sizable gap between Dreger's ears" I'd like to claim that one now.

There is also a sizeable gap between Dreger and reliable reporting.

[prizefighterinferno]

The over-reaction by some to this supposed intel is as predictable as it is embarrassing.

It's a negotiation, and as many have already stated, the vast majority of players have nothing to do with the actual process - that's the point of having an agent. It's rarely personal for either party - not sure why some of us around here are so butt-hurt about it, especially considering the source.

[sureLoss]

Gio and Mony talk about Bennett's importance to the team:

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/video/flames-k...rtance~1201713

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by IgiTang

im just wondering if Bennett is a bit of a headcase, to himself... If that makes sense?

He wants to be "The Guy", has the tools to be that guy, but hasn't found the success he desired at the NHL Level. If he feels that its due to lineups and opportunity.. That's on him to a large extent. But more so, the fact that hes not quite ready for that responsibility. Not that he wont ever be able to handle it, but there are guys better than him right now.

I like his competitive nature and he wants the puck! That said, perhaps he feels he should be deferred to when skating up the ice. I think there is also a bit of pout to his game but that could be due to him feeling like he deserves more.
And who knows, maybe he would excel given that responsibility. But who does he displace?

I hope im wrong on all accounts and he see's the opportunity before him. To move forward with a young core while being sheltered so he can develop more.

If this does turn into an ugly situation, a request for a trade could certainly happen. But its unlikely that Tre would let this get out of hand.

No. This does not really make much sense. Most indications suggest that this is posturing by the agent, a deal will be in place before camp, and Bennett will remain with the Calgary Flames for the foreseeable future.

[browna]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

Anyone think that the backtrack tweet came after Bennett called his agent after seeing the first tweet and said to stop the BS Europe threats?

Because I read that as an agent getting an earful from his client about the public posturing.

I also suspect Bennett's phone has had a teammate or two text it this morning as well

Nah, just another part of the game that the agents play when they run to the media for negotiating. The “alarming” headline is out there on TSN, unashamedly passed directly from agent to mouthpiece Dreger. And the headline is for the public pressure and sway the PR, not the team or Treliving.

I am sure the Flames, and all teams when it happens, just roll their eyes that the agents decide to pull the PR stunt. Because then you get the questions from the locals such as Francis that you then have to bother to answer and explain to, etc etc.

A couple hours after, after other outlets have picked up on the story, comes the softening stance from Dreger and the agent, that doesn’t get the same play. My guess is the team, and the and players on the team who all have agents, know exactly what’s up.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Gio and Mony talk about Bennett's importance to the team:

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/video/flames-k...rtance~1201713

Hes a great player, hes important to the team. They may as well have interviewed David Puddy and they'd have gotten the same answer.

Just comical pre-season interviews. No offense to you, I know we're all starved for news but its like in the off-season Treliving hosted a clinic on how to speak without saying anything and these were his top two students.

[iloveicedhockey]

Originally Posted by hayduke's dad

outscored by Jeff Petry (D), Zach Hyman(who?) Dion oh wait for it Phaneuf

And none of those had to play with troy Brouwer. I think the point the original poster was trying to make, the one that went an Apollo mission over your head, is that the NHL is the best league in the world, so having made it there, he's elite in his field.

Also, the entitled sports salary argument has been done to death; players are worth what the market is willing to pay. Letting a promising player go to a different league in protest is the most counter productive thing that could be done in this situation. I know Dreger's reporting was somewhat sensationalist but that option was never really on the table, and there's no chance whatsoever that Sam Bennett said 'well I'll just go play in Europe instead', or words to that effect. He shouldn't be villanized for reasonably standard contract negotiating tactics done on his behalf. If anything, the truth of the matter is how quickly Dreger has changed his tune.

[Locke]

I'm thanking this for the use of the reference to the Apollo Missions, that was a nice turn of phrase. I will be stealing that one in the future.

[Beninho]

Draft ranking doesn't get you money, he's had moments but those moments have been limited to say the least. Potential is there but he's been passed by many players from his draft class in terms of production. He hasn't showed nearly enough to be demanding any sort of outlandish money. Let him go to Europe if that's the card he's gonna play. Janko is ready

[Red Slinger]

Originally Posted by hayduke's dad

Yup 26 points puts him about right up there with Croby, McDavid, and oh yeah wait Antoine Vermette only outscored him by 2 points.

Screw him go overseas. These guys are overpaid whiners. 26 points a year should not get you over $1million.

outscored by Jeff Petry (D), Zach Hyman(who?) Dion oh wait for it Phaneuf

Sorry being tied for 280th in league scoring does not put you in the most talented category. Probably guys with more talent who drank it away.

Just curious but what do you do for a living? Do you make more than $616USD/year (the average in India)? Do you think you should earn $616 or instead make what is the reasonable market rate for your services?

Bennett certainly doesn't deserve to get paid like Crosby, McDavid or Vermette. But he does deserve to get paid like a young, talented NHLer. As others have stated we don't know what he or his agent are asking for nor do we know the Flames position. So maybe you should get off your high-horse and wait until all of the facts present themselves.

The amount of vitriol over an agent using Dreger as his negotiating puppet is somewhat amusing but mostly painful.

[Vulcan]

I doubt he'll go to Europe but it does have the appealing part of also going to the Olympics.

[hayduke's dad]

Originally Posted by iloveicedhockey

And none of those had to play with troy Brouwer. I think the point the original poster was trying to make, the one that went an Apollo mission over your head, is that the NHL is the best league in the world, so having made it there, he's elite in his field.

Thank God you had spell check for "Apollo". NHL is the best league no doubt. so by what your saying Troy Brouwer who never played with 251 players who finished ahead of Sam Bennett in NHL scoring (260-9 flames who scored more than Bennet in case that Apollo'd you Rocket Scientist) is considered Elite in his field as well.

Brouwer played 7 less games and scored 1 less point than Bennett. Most people in this forum believe he shouldn't play in the NHL while at same point figuring Bennett deserves more money cause he is young and has talent.

I will always believe that you should be paid for what you do not your potential.
No Apollo Mission on that thought for you to miss. Once he starts putting bigger numbers up then he should be considered for a raise. If he want to sign a short contract to have more bargaining power after a couple good seasons all the power to him.