[News] All-encompassing Bennett trade discussions thread

[Steve Bozek]

I’ve looked on Bennett as being a bit like early days Gary Roberts - didn’t score much, took lots of stupid penalties, but showed enough talent and grit to keep the Flames from listening to trade offers. I keep waiting for Bennett to blossom the way Roberts did, but by this stage, that’s doubtful. Nevertheless, I do hope that he continues to play well enough to get a permanent spot on the Monahan Gaudreau line, and maybe he’d be willing to stick around, or at least generate a good trade offer.

[DazzlinDino]

Originally Posted by Boreal

Bennett’s role on this line is physicality on the forecheck to cause the defence to make mistakes.

He has to prove he has enough hockey sense to make/execute plays.

At a bare minimum he has to be useful.

His quotes about being a healthy scratch bother me.

He didn’t know why he wasn’t in the lineup?
He thinks they might be playing games?

What?

On what planet is this adequate player engagement?

I think "games" was a poor choice of words from Bennett, lack of communication sure, but from a coaches standpoint Bennett likely has not been communicating with them enough... So now they did not communicate with him about the reasons behind his benching; I wonder why?! Lesson learned..? We will see!

What Bennett doesn't realize is if he played like he did in the playoffs the coaches would have no choice but to move him up the lineup. He seems like a passive guy, he probably holds a lot of his feelings in but then vents to his agent!

Pretty sure the coaches would love Bennett to get mad, vent have it out with them. He has to be a leader, take action, communicate, fight for a role he thinks he deserves on the team. Until last night he was still waiting for it to be handed too him.

[DazzlinDino]

Originally Posted by Ducay

Always curious how guys manage to play with a guy who has requested a trade. He's basically saying he doesn't want to play with this club anymore and wants out, how do you lace up with him and pretend to have chemistry? Especially so when pulling that move is going to cost the club big (relative) in trade value now that they have no leverage and are effectively distressed sellers.

Horrible position to put everyone in, such a rookie move by Bennett & his reps. Trel is basically forced to keep playing him to make him at all saleable.

I would agree with you on a guy like Neal or someone who causes problems in the room. My guess is a lot of the guys in that room are friends with Bennett and likely don't want to see him go. This issue started when people started going through the wrong channels. I doubt there is any disruption in the room among the players.

[bluejays]

Originally Posted by DazzlinDino

I would agree with you on a guy like Neal or someone who causes problems in the room. My guess is a lot of the guys in that room are friends with Bennett and likely don't want to see him go. This issue started when people started going through the wrong channels. I doubt there is any disruption in the room among the players.

Totally. If a guy feels like he hasn't been given a fair shake from the coaching staff, why would his teammates be upset at him all things considered? He's not being a jerk to his teammates, and the reality is he should be given a 3rd line role, so I'm sure more than anything his teammates feel for him.

[flames_fan_down_under]

If Sam can consistently be physical, stay out of the penalty box, and pot the odd goal on the first line, then keep him there. This seems like his (last) chance to prove himself. Hope he can capitalize.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

I think the guys in the room understand Sam has millions of dollars at stake and understand his desire to attempt to maximize his value.

[Camronius]

Originally Posted by flames_fan_down_under

If Sam can consistently be physical, stay out of the penalty box, and pot the odd goal on the first line, then keep him there. This seems like his (last) chance to prove himself. Hope he can capitalize.

Exactly, he needs to keep it simple and not try to be like JG it Mony. Just bang, make simple plays, go to the net, protect Johnny, back check and take zero dumb penalties. If he does this he’ll be super successful. If he goes back to thinking he’s the best pick Calgary’s ever had, he’s going to fail.

He played perfect yesterday. If Ward takes him out of that spot next game, it’s on the coaching at that point.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Camronius

Exactly, he needs to keep it simple and not try to be like JG it Mony. Just bang, make simple plays, go to the net, protect Johnny, back check and take zero dumb penalties. If he does this he’ll be super successful. If he goes back to thinking he’s the best pick Calgary’s ever had, he’s going to fail.

He played perfect yesterday. If Ward takes him out of that spot next game, it’s on the coaching at that point.

Ward has a chance to make things better here - and as the coach, that is part of his job. He should tell Bennett "you've got 10 games on the top line, so just relax and play. Keep it simple, stay out of the box, and just play. And then we'll see where we are at."

That would diffuse things and give Bennett something to build on.

[howard_the_duck]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Ward has a chance to make things better here - and as the coach, that is part of his job. He should tell Bennett "you've got 10 games on the top line, so just relax and play. Keep it simple, stay out of the box, and just play. And then we'll see where we are at."

That would diffuse things and give Bennett something to build on.

If only it were so simple. This team can't string 3 good periods together...I don't know how you could promise our most inconsistent player a 1/5th of the season stint on the top line.

Ward's responsibility is to win games, not to appease Bennett. The rope should be longer than 1 game, but his play needs to speak for itself. If that isn't enough motivation then there's little else a coach can do.

[Enoch Root]

It's not like he doesn't have the power to pull the plug if it isn't going well.

But what it does is diffuse the situation

[GioforPM]

Or maybe he should bench him every other game since it worked this time.

JK

[Nelson]

I’m a big fan of how I think Treliving is approaching this situation. It feels like Treliving is being patient and will only trade Bennett if there’s an offer he can’t say no to.

[djsFlames]

Haha, all-encompassing. Good luck with that.

[pylon]

Personally. I like the kid.

Did he perform up to expectations in comparison to his draft position? No.

Do all players? No.

I think for what he is paid, the team could do way worse. Both the team, and Sam need to accept he’s a career 3rd liner. He that type of player, that in a couple years you could slap an ‘A’ on and know you have a reliable guy that could go up and down the lineup.

As for his dumb penalties, I’ll take em, as long as they are taken whilst getting under the other teams skin.

I hope they find a way to make it work.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

It's not like he doesn't have the power to pull the plug if it isn't going well.

But what it does is diffuse the situation

That assumes there is a situation that requires diffusing

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

It's not like he doesn't have the power to pull the plug if it isn't going well.

But what it does is diffuse the situation

You don’t make a promise to a player, or any other person for that matter, that you have significant doubts about whether you’d be able to keep. I don’t really know what needs diffusing but IMO that just puts Bennett’s needs above those of the team.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

But what it does is diffuse the situation

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

That assumes there is a situation that requires diffusing

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

I don’t really know what needs diffusing

*sigh*

Defuse, guys. Defuse.

Is there a text critic in the house?

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

*sigh*

Defuse, guys. Defuse.

Is there a text critic in the house?

[SportsJunky]

These guys riffuse to use spellcheck.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

You don’t make a promise to a player, or any other person for that matter, that you have significant doubts about whether you’d be able to keep. I don’t really know what needs diffusing but IMO that just puts Bennett’s needs above those of the team.

Getting your players going is good for the team, and part of the coach's job