[News] All-encompassing Bennett trade discussions thread

[David Struch]

Originally Posted by btimbit

I'm getting a lot of vibes from the baertschi trade. Some people were still convinced he'd be a 1st liner and couldn't stand the way the organization treated him. Everyone else saw him for the bottom 6er that he was. I remember one poster even saying he threw a chair when sven got traded.

Some posters seem to think the Flames are trading Marc Savard for Ruslan Zainullin...

Now imagine the uproar, if in a couple of weeks after the trade, Calgary fired Geoff Ward like they did Greg Gilbert.

[dustygoon]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

Wait

They didn't communicate to him why he was a healthy scratch? Whether it was performance or trade related?

How is this acceptable?

Exactly. I don’t mind the response. The team should be a little more open to the fans. Or at least make it crystal clear to the player. Unless Bennett is lying? If it’s to penalize the agent talking out of turn or his performance, it should be crystal clear to Sam at least.

[GioforPM]

So Sam was just answering a question but Ward “went off” about his request to play centre? I forget - was that not also in response to a question about his deployment?

[Loyal and True]

Originally Posted by btimbit

We're still assuming that's unique to Bennett? Simon practicing with the taxi squad doesn't count, but since it's Bennett this time, now it's an issue?

It is an issue when Rinaldo Robinson Kylington Mackey can be seen practicing regularly with the team. Check Wills' twitter. Bennett isn't in that class?

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Loyal and True

It is an issue when Rinaldo Robinson Kylington Mackey can be seen practicing regularly with the team. Check Wills' twitter. Bennett isn't in that class?

Practice versus game day skate?

[Loyal and True]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

So Sam was just answering a question but Ward “went off” about his request to play centre? I forget - was that not also in response to a question about his deployment?

That seemed to be an odd response by Ward at the time. A few days later he answers questions with "that's between me and Sam"

[Loyal and True]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Practice versus game day skate?

Numerous media noted that it was odd that Bennett was separated from the team in the morning skate, in addition to being scratched.

I don't intend to be stubborn on this. So show me where it is standard to limit morning skate to the 20 players and I will accept that media are creating additional drama for kicks.

Normally in pre-game warm up there are extra skaters who are not playing that night.

[Loyal and True]

Originally Posted by SportsJunky

I was just listening to Craig Button rip Sam Bennett on That's Hockey. He did not mince words. "If he doesn't know why he's not playing, there is a bigger problem there. I'll tell him why he's not playing, he is not good enough and Calgary has been living with that Sam Bennett for much too long. Get real."

Craig Button... who traded Savard for Zainullin and fired Gilbert soon after... nice

[TheSquatch]

Originally Posted by nieuwy-89

Would love to see Getzlaff here. What a great mentor for Tkachuk and the other young guys. Nothing against Gio, but a guy like Getzlaff seems like he wouldn't put up with any BS or lazy efforts.

Been saying this for years, not that we need Getzlaff, but we need a Getzlaff type, a big, dominating guy who can really bring it on the ice, who HATES to lose, and who won't put up with any mediocre efforts from his team-mates. This is where Iggy fell as a Captain - he lead by example, but didn't really kick any ass in the locker room (Rhett Warrener has said as much), and I feel like Gio is the same, a good guy, a hard worker, lead by example sort.

The team has been mediocre and inconsistent, and that's been... allowed.

[868904]

Originally Posted by TheSquatch

Been saying this for years, not that we need Getzlaff, but we need a Getzlaff type, a big, dominating guy who can really bring it on the ice, who HATES to lose, and who won't put up with any mediocre efforts from his team-mates. This is where Iggy fell as a Captain - he lead by example, but didn't really kick any ass in the locker room (Rhett Warrener has said as much), and I feel like Gio is the same, a good guy, a hard worker, lead by example sort.

The team has been mediocre and inconsistent, and that's been... allowed.

So we need Anthony DeAngelo.

[memphusk]

Getzlaf is dominant, when he wants to be. Would fit the group here. Show up sometimes.

[Owen15]

Am I the only one that thinks Ward’s response that they offered Benny the choice of center or wing bizarre?

I mean I think in a perfect world quality discussions between coaches and players can result in alignment of expectations. But isn’t it ultimately on the coach to decide these things not the player? And then to March that out like a defence against where we are at? Seems disingenuous.

[ComixZone]

I think all of Ward’s dealings in the public have been those of a bush league coach. Going back to last season’s playoff disaster where he panicked on the bench and pulled Talbot.

I’m sure he’s a good dude, but he has not been an impressive head coach at all.

[TheSquatch]

Originally Posted by Owen15

Am I the only one that thinks Ward’s response that they offered Benny the choice of center or wing bizarre?

I mean I think in a perfect world quality discussions between coaches and players can result in alignment of expectations. But isn’t it ultimately on the coach to decide these things not the player? And then to March that out like a defence against where we are at? Seems disingenuous.

I actually think they talked about it, and I suspect that the missing information in Ward's presser is that Sam asked to be moved to wing because he was sick of centering a line of total plugs and thought maybe he'd get a better look on wing. I am speculating.

I think there's lots of info being withheld by both parties here.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by Loyal and True

That seemed to be an odd response by Ward at the time. A few days later he answers questions with "that's between me and Sam"

I really feel like we need some context here. What exactly was the question he was asked?

[TheSquatch]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

I really feel like we need some context here. What exactly was the question he was asked?

He was asked why Benny was out, and Ward said "It's a coach's decision." and when pressed (and pressed and pressed, it was pretty frustrating) about why, he said it was between him and Sam. What's he gonna say, "Hey the kid just won't do what I tell him to do, he's a real loser." or something totally disingenuous like "Oh we just wanted to give some other people a look."

The truth is, Bennett has sucked. Plain sucked, this year. So have a seat, watch a game, think about positioning, responsibility, puck control, and try again next game.

Or, more likely, it means he's being traded.

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by SportsJunky

I was just listening to Craig Button rip Sam Bennett on That's Hockey. He did not mince words. "If he doesn't know why he's not playing, there is a bigger problem there. I'll tell him why he's not playing, he is not good enough and Calgary has been living with that Sam Bennett for much too long. Get real."

Yeah, kinda hard to argue that

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Owen15

Am I the only one that thinks Ward’s response that they offered Benny the choice of center or wing bizarre?

I mean I think in a perfect world quality discussions between coaches and players can result in alignment of expectations. But isn’t it ultimately on the coach to decide these things not the player? And then to March that out like a defence against where we are at? Seems disingenuous.

It was done to show the player up, that’s all there was to it.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by Owen15

Am I the only one that thinks Ward’s response that they offered Benny the choice of center or wing bizarre?

I mean I think in a perfect world quality discussions between coaches and players can result in alignment of expectations. But isn’t it ultimately on the coach to decide these things not the player? And then to March that out like a defence against where we are at? Seems disingenuous.

I think it's a very good thing the coach and player have discussions about where the player feels comfortable to give him the best chance to succeed. Yes, it's the coach's final decision but I really like that he's willing to give Bennett that choice, or at least pick his brain, to see what he thinks. I don't think it's bizarre at all.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

I think it's a very good thing the coach and player have discussions about where the player feels comfortable to give him the best chance to succeed. Yes, it's the coach's final decision but I really like that he's willing to give Bennett that choice, or at least pick his brain, to see what he thinks. I don't think it's bizarre at all.

Sure but it was utterly childish to say this to the media.