Bennett

[SportsJunky]

Originally Posted by Harry Lime

I'm not sure why there is no talk of Ryan being moved to Backlund's RW. Ryan is the definition of a solid player, and would carry some of the defensive load.

I should point out that Ryan has not been good. Ryan's xGF%, GA%, GF/60, GA/60, etc., are objectively terrible. If it wasn't for the horror show that is Nordstrom (OMG), Ryan would be dead last in pretty much every measurable stat.

I say this knowing that Ryan can and probably will be a better contributer as the season goes on. It is early. Maybe a move to play with Backlund will help both players.

[CsInMyBlood]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

Yeah, I don’t actually care, I was just having fun

I haven’t read a single new thing here. It’s a brand new thread with the same people saying the same things, nobody learning anything, and nobody changing anyone’s mind

Same old opinions being repeated ad nauseam

I shall step back and let it continue

And he does have the best moustache on the team

I get it. He does have the best moustache.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

As for the rest of what you said, I have no interest

Leave Bennett alone!!!

[DazzlinDino]

Originally Posted by New Era

Leave Bennett alone!!!

No need to mock another poster with a different opinion. I know you have some strong feelings about Bennett and that is okay, but his opinion offers another perspective and that is okay too.

[Camronius]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

Not what I said. I was talking about the thread

If Backlund scores, the Flames do not lose a 1 goal game in the same fashion. Tkachuk probably doesn’t have his tantrum.

Bennett gets a point at a key time and the OP is overjoyed and holds his lament

CP likely has immeasurably better threads created

As for the rest of what you said, I have no interest

All good, I wasn't taking a shot at you, that was a joking comment 2 fold 1) we all do it 2) we shouldn't do it. It was meant to be something we can relate to and know is silly.

I respect yours and everyone else's opinion that counters mine. I wrote that and then read back in the thread. Not trying to goat anyone into a rehash of the same argument. He is a polarizing player no doubt.

[DazzlinDino]

Bennett is what he is.

Lately he is getting away from what makes him effective. If he is skating, playing physical, standing up for his team mates that is what gets his confidence going. He should be creating energy time and space for his team mates. No one complains when Sam Bennett is being a force and making things happen on the 3rd line, but right now he is just being non-productive.

Paul Byron is not overly skilled and not a big guy but he goes out and makes stuff happen. Sam Bennett should tear a page out of Paul Byron's book!

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by Camronius

All good, I wasn't taking a shot at you, that was a joking comment 2 fold 1) we all do it 2) we shouldn't do it. It was meant to be something we can relate to and know is silly.

I respect yours and everyone else's opinion that counters mine. I wrote that and then read back in the thread. Not trying to goat anyone into a rehash of the same argument. He is a polarizing player no doubt.

No sweat. My opinion is pretty much just that this is a dead horse and it’s the same people saying the same things, nothing new and nobody changing anyone’s mind

[Itse]

I consider Bennetts shot to be unacceptably bad. It's not even funny anymore. It's not accurate, hard or quick. At this point he should have been able to fix at least one of those things.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

Bennett made a nice pass to Backlund last game from behind the net in to the slot

With all due respect, this reminds me of the old Sven days. He’d play a nonexistent game but make one really nice pass and people would gush.

I just don’t think Bennett has a lot of skill. He might be best off centring an energy line. But he would have to improve defensively.

[Lanny_McDonald]

The bar for Bennett is so low now. That is what is frustrating. Other players don't get this latitude.

[The Boy Wonder]

Originally Posted by New Era

The bar for Bennett is so low now. That is what is frustrating. Other players don't get this latitude.

Yes they do...

Derrek Ryan is still somehow beloved around here and he has been unequivocally our worst player since March 17 last year.

[jlh2640]

Is Bennett even a top 9 forward at this point. Because I love the guy. But I would argue he isn’t showing anything.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by The Boy Wonder

Yes they do...

Derrek Ryan is still somehow beloved around here and he has been unequivocally our worst player since March 17 last year.

Hmmm. Last name Ryan, hasn't been seen since St. Patrick's Day. Checks out!

I don't think expectations are that high for Ryan, but he outscored Bennett in both his seasons in Calgary, with similar ice time. Also outscored Bennett the two previous years in Carolina.

He was also acquired for nothing and only makes $0.4 million more than Bennett (cap hit, in real dollars, Ryan makes less than Bennett this season). He usually gives more bang for the buck than Bennett, but neither contract is anything to brag about.

It's actually kind of sad that we are comparing 34 year old, never drafted, 5'10 Derek Ryan to 24 year old, 4th overall, 6'1" Sam Bennett. If Bennett was anywhere close to living up to his hype, we wouldn't dream of making this comparison.

Honestly, I will be pretty shocked if Bennett is even qualified after this season. He'll stick around the NHL for sure, but likely as a low-paid journeyman.

[Winsor_Pilates]

The Flames would have given up on Bennett by now if not for playoff Bennett.
Regular season Bennett doesn't have a spot on the roster, but playoff Bennett buys him that position.

It incredible how different the 2 are and incredibly frustrating.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

The Flames would have given up on Bennett by now if not for playoff Bennett.
Regular season Bennett doesn't have a spot on the roster, but playoff Bennett buys him that position.

It incredible how different the 2 are and incredibly frustrating.

Look at it from Bennett’s perspective.

Works like crazy and is our best forward in the playoffs.

The next season? He begins the year centering Milan Lucic and Joakim Nordstrom, and is then bounced all over the place again.

Bennett will never be a top tier forward, but the moment he gets out of Calgary he’s going to do a lot better. This team is poorly run.

[timbit]

Originally Posted by The Boy Wonder

Yes they do...

Derrek Ryan is still somehow beloved around here and he has been unequivocally our worst player since March 17 last year.

Derek Ryan cost us nothing to acquire.

Zero acquisition cost!

He has served his role very adequately.

What is a fourth pick overall worth to acquire , monetarily?

What a waste!


Guess it happens...but do not ever think that Ryan was a worse acquisition than Bennett.

[FanIn80]

We missed the boat on this one. The time to trade him was this offseason after reminding GMs what he does in the playoffs. We didn’t and now we’ve just re-reminded GMs what he’s like outside the playoffs.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

Look at it from Bennett’s perspective.

Works like crazy and is our best forward in the playoffs.

The next season? He begins the year centering Milan Lucic and Joakim Nordstrom, and is then bounced all over the place again.

Bennett will never be a top tier forward, but the moment he gets out of Calgary he’s going to do a lot better. This team is poorly run.

But he plays well in the playoffs no matter who his line mates are.
He even elevates the play of his line mates.

Blaming his regular season play on his line mates is just a broken excuse.

As far as what he'll be when he's no longer a Flame, we'll have to agree to disagree. I think he'd be Sven Baertschi, but only time will tell.
He could prove me wrong there but that's irrelevant anyway.
What he is Flame is what I care about, and that's very clear by now.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

But he plays well in the playoffs no matter who his line mates are.
He even elevates the play of his line mates.

Blaming his regular season play on his line mates is just a broken excuse.

As far as what he'll be when he's no longer a Flame, we'll have to agree to disagree. I think he'd be Sven Baertschi, but only time will tell.
He could prove me wrong there but that's irrelevant anyway.
What he is Flame is what I care about, and that's very clear by now.

I’m not actually blaming his line mates - I’m more just speculating that he’s not the perfect professional and isn’t responding well to being pushed down the line-up by players like Leivo and Simon who haven’t done anything to earn better positions in the lineup.

[CsInMyBlood]

Bennett got his first point tonight and wasn't a minus player. Baby steps.

It was Lucic scoring. I can smell the chemistry.