[GDT] Flames @ Stars, 6:30 PM MST. Sportsnet West, Fan 960

[H2SO4(aq)]

Originally Posted by Red

One game? This is his first break to play 1st line wing in 2 seasons and he loses it to a waiver pick up.

Do you think he would have 25 points playing there all year? Do you have any idea how much money this may be costing him?

Put yourself in his shoes. Do you think sven is sending Christmas cards to Hartley?

If you’re his agent would you be doing your job if you don’t suggest Sam ask for a trade out?

I get it when ferland was healthy. But Bennett should have been moved up the second ferland left (not Hathaway, even for half a game) and should be in that spot the entirety of ferlands injury. Especially because he had been thriving up there albeit small sample size.

[The Boy Wonder]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

In the offseason folks harped that Bennett doesn't have the offensive output as say Leon Draisaitl due to quality of linemates. Bennett plays 95‰ of his shifts on the 3rd line with Jankowski and Hathaway/jagr/Brouwer, but now it's the 'received ample time' narrative.

Whatever, other orgs seem to find young talent positions to succeed and live thru the up's and downs of their development.

I guess here I have to go thru the up's and downs of a coach and gm seemingly learning on the job too. Good job Gulutzan, way to go on watching a crap pp for 40+ games before putting Hamilton and Giordano on the point. Proud of you.

Maybe by training camp he can look at the underlying pk stats and realize just throwing Stajan and Brouwer out there is also a dumb decision.

It’s funny that people around here find any excuse possible to rip on Bennett for not living up to his draft position.

It’s not like draisatl has carried his own line, or reinhart either. There’s arguably two or three young guys who carry their own line upon entering the league or in years 2/3 and unfortunately Bennett isn’t one.

That doesnt mean we should put him in a third line role with no talent line mates, which unfortunately they have been for most of the season. Janko was doing well but also very raw as a rookie, brouwer is well, brouwer. Bennett should be put in a position to succeed which other teams do quite well.

[The Boy Wonder]

Originally Posted by calbow

I heard on the Fan Stewart will start on the Top line but will be moved around during the game to get familiar with the team...I see no problem with that..

That may be the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard...

Didn’t hear them talking about moving lomberg around all four lines to familiarize him with the guys!

[monkeyman]

I don't mind Stewart on the top line, but man, what kind of message does this send to the rest of the guys in the room. If GG hasn't already, he's going to lose the room.
I think he's gone this summer regardless of where Calgary finishes.

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by H2SO4(aq)

If you’re his agent would you be doing your job if you don’t suggest Sam ask for a trade out?

I get it when ferland was healthy. But Bennett should have been moved up the second ferland left (not Hathaway, even for half a game) and should be in that spot the entirety of ferlands injury. Especially because he had been thriving up there albeit small sample size.

When Ferland is playing well he has the skill, size and speed to work really great on the first line. He scored lots in junior. I was happy, but not surprised, to see him fit so well on that line.

But when he is not playing to his potential, not keeping it simple and shooting, then that is a good opportunity to move a skilled guy like Bennett up. When GG says he is looking for chemistry, that is the sort of thing I expect. Not sticking old guys whose best years are behind them on the top line or PP1 (Jagr excluded, GOAT earns you that right).

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by The Boy Wonder

That may be the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard...

Didn’t hear them talking about moving lomberg around all four lines to familiarize him with the guys!

This is a low pressure game, not much at stake. What's the worst that could happen, dude?

[monkeyman]

Bennett just needs to play crappy enough to be put on waivers, then he can play on someone else's top line.

[memphusk]

Was there any news on Versteeg today?

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

In the offseason folks harped that Bennett doesn't have the offensive output as say Leon Draisaitl due to quality of linemates. Bennett plays 95‰ of his shifts on the 3rd line with Jankowski and Hathaway/jagr/Brouwer, but now it's the 'received ample time' narrative.

Whatever, other orgs seem to find young talent positions to succeed and live thru the up's and downs of their development.

I guess here I have to go thru the up's and downs of a coach and gm seemingly learning on the job too. Good job Gulutzan, way to go on watching a crap pp for 40+ games before putting Hamilton and Giordano on the point. Proud of you.

Maybe by training camp he can look at the underlying pk stats and realize just throwing Stajan and Brouwer out there is also a dumb decision.

So we are ignoring the young players that have excelled under the coach?
This team is proving it can effectively develop players just look at the number of home grown guys on the roster and in core spots

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by monkeyman

I don't mind Stewart on the top line, but man, what kind of message does this send to the rest of the guys in the room. If GG hasn't already, he's going to lose the room.
I think he's gone this summer regardless of where Calgary finishes.

The room is more than likely fine with it particularly since the coach has said he will start him there and move him around
Which is largely being ignored

[H2SO4(aq)]

Originally Posted by Wild GM

So we are ignoring the young players that have excelled under the coach?
This team is proving it can effectively develop players just look at the number of home grown guys on the roster and in core spots

Under gulutzans tenure I count tkachuk. Who else?

[Red]

Originally Posted by Wild GM

So we are ignoring the young players that have excelled under the coach?
This team is proving it can effectively develop players just look at the number of home grown guys on the roster and in core spots

Like Janko, Hathaway, Mangipane and Kulak or Ferland and Tkachuk? Because they are developing at a different pace for some reason that I can't quite put my finger on.

[JJFlash]

Originally Posted by 868904

I really want Bennett to succeed and I am definitely not a Gulutzan supporter (bring back Darryl!), but I don't know that Bennett is really any better than Ferland.

Sure he was selected higher in the draft, but from what I've seen, Ferland is just as skilled as Bennett and his production has been on par if not better.

Bennett put up a ton of points in junior? Guess what, so did Ferland.

What skill does Bennett have that is greater than Ferland?

Skating - probably a wash
Puck handling - a wash
Passing - I give to Ferland
Playmaking - a wash
Shot - Ferland hands down
Hockey Sense - i'd give the edge to Ferland

Ferland gets very underrated on this board. I think skill wise, he's one of the top players on the Flames, his problem is consistency. If all goes well, I see Ferland topping out as a Todd Bertuzzi type,who faced the same consistency issues in New York before realizing his potential in Vancouver.

I really don't see a whole lot of elite skill in Bennett, but I see a super competitive nature. If all goes well, I see Bennett topping out as a Mike Fisher type.

Bennett is living off of his high draft status right now. I'm coming to the conclusion that his high point totals in junior were the result of his highly competitive nature being significantly greater than other junior players, not necessarily him being more skilled.

And i'm not a Bennett hater, i want to see him stay as a Flames, even if all he becomes is a Mike Fisher.

I like the comparisons. Ferland is very much like a Bertuzzi. I am still not sure what we have in Bennett but if he tops out as a Fischer then that would be fine. I would say Bennett is a more explosive skater and better defensively but Ferland has a more complete game. I think Bennett is built for the playoffs but we have to get there to see his full value. Ferland can be a difference maker in the playoffs. I think Bennett gets in his own head but GG has not helped.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Red

One game? This is his first break to play 1st line wing in 2 seasons and he loses it to a waiver pick up.

Do you think he would have 25 points playing there all year? Do you have any idea how much money this may be costing him?

Put yourself in his shoes. Do you think sven is sending Christmas cards to Hartley?

We will be talking a contract extension with Bennett next year. You think he will want to sign here to play for GG? I don't think he is looking forward to that.

Holy crow the hyperbole
So because the coach is trying a new guy on the top line Sam is going to ny re-sign?
This is getting absurd
If Sam wants more money he needs to produce. It’s on him.

[the2bears]

Originally Posted by Red

Like Janko, Hathaway, Mangipane and Kulak or Ferland and Tkachuk? Because they are developing at a different pace for some reason.

What do you mean? Do you think they should develop at the same pace?

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by the2bears

What do you mean? Do you think they should develop at the same pace?

Well, of course. All young players develop at exactly the same pace, unless the coach deliberately sets out to destroy their careers. Didn't you get the memo?

[DJones]

I can't imagine this little experiment will last more than 4 minutes before Bennett is back up there so I'm not too worried about it.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by H2SO4(aq)

Under gulutzans tenure I count tkachuk. Who else?

Jankowski
Kulak
Ferland
Rittich

What young guys apart from Sam have struggled?

[The Boy Wonder]

Originally Posted by Wild GM

Holy crow the hyperbole
So because the coach is trying a new guy on the top line Sam is going to ny re-sign?
This is getting absurd
If Sam wants more money he needs to produce. It’s on him.

Ever heard of the phrase “the straw that broke the camels back”

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by Corral

Agreed. I said in another thread that aside from a few guys on our roster, we are small and delicate, and lose the intimidation battles on the ice. That didn't go over well with some folks. But i think its true.

No, that's not what you said. I, too, am a firm believer in intimidation. The examples you trotted out as players that the Flames are intimidated by were nonsense:

Getzlaf, Kesler and Brown. Sorry, but that is not intimidating. That's called agitating.

I also said in a few threads and throughout the last few seasons - especially with Engelland leaving - that the Flames seem to get intimidated by the Oilers now - Lucic, Kassian, Nurse and Maroon.

There is a difference.

Edit: Since this is page 14 and people are still discussing it like it is some weird 'out of left field' thing that Stewart is starting on the top line, I predicted that he would get moved around, including on the top line. You should expect it. I guess people assume he is a total goon, but that's not what he is. Maybe he is on his way to becoming that (and then being ushered out of the NHL), but he has strong IQ, good speed, and really soft hands. It won't surprise me to see him miss 3 blank-open set-ups, but it won't surprise me to see him dangle and score 2 off the rush tonight.

I, for one, hope it works. Why? You get more balanced lines. Ferland could develop good chemistry with Bennett and Jankowski, and provide really good scoring. More likely I think is that Stewart ends up on the 3rd line, and Ferland comes back to his normal spot on the top line. I hope Stewart pots-in some big goals for us.