[News] All-encompassing Bennett trade discussions thread

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by SeanCharles

If he sticks in the top 6 he won’t be going anywhere..

I think it would depend a good deal on what the return in a trade might look like. It sounds like Bennett is already an expensive player to acquire; if he is suddenly a regular top-six producer, then his value will only increase.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

You talk as if we have a better option than Bennett.

We actually don't know what we have at this point. For all the pissing and moaning about Bennett not getting enough of a chance that same expectation is not being extended to the other guys either. Bennett, who has been with this team for 370+ games "needs time" to learn how to play with these guys. But guys that have been with the team for less than 10 are expected to click with them immediately. The double standard is nauseating.

We don't. Simon, Leivo, Nordstrom, Mangiapane - none of them have worked. Bennett has looked better there than any of the other players cycled through this line so far this season.

Get real. Bennett has looked passable at best, and that is based only on his personal performance and not the overall performance of the line. The line has done very little. They were neutered in the first game until the third period when Bennett score "the goal." The game last night was frustrating to watch because the line was ineffective all night long. The scoring opportunities were limited and dangerous scoring opportunities were almost zero.

"The experiment is over" and go right back to players who have been completely useless on the line like Leivo, Simon and Nordstrom? Bennett has been the best player to join Gaudreau and Monahan this season.

Bennett looks the best because the bar is so embarrassingly low for him. If the same expectation is applied to the other players, the outcomes are about the same. And for Leivo and Simon that is for guys who have had zero adjustment time to the team and the systems. Players without 370+ games with the team, time to practice and observe, and time to get to know the guys away from the ice. Bennett should be given more time, but everyone else is expected to produce immediately? Nice double standard.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Toonage

Given all the talks the Flames & Jackets allegedly had in the off season, there could be a deal to be ironed out there if they do want to move on from Bennett.

Wonder if Rittich & Merzlikins would be part of a swap. They were rumored to be in on the deal that would have sent Josh Anderson to Calgary.

No chance. Merzlikins has a $4.0 m cap hit. The Flames are not spending $10.0 m on goaltending for the next two years.

[SeanCharles]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

No chance. Merzlikins has a $4.0 m cap hit. The Flames are not spending $10.0 m on goaltending for the next two years.

Ya that ship sailed.

They were interested in Anderson and a goalie before they signed Markstrom.

Neither one are a viable option now so I’d assume there isn’t much to talk to them about anymore.

[Toonage]

Good points. My timing was off on when that was discussed

[SeanCharles]

Originally Posted by New Era

We actually don't know what we have at this point. For all the pissing and moaning about Bennett not getting enough of a chance that same expectation is not being extended to the other guys either. Bennett, who has been with this team for 370+ games "needs time" to learn how to play with these guys. But guys that have been with the team for less than 10 are expected to click with them immediately. The double standard is nauseating.



Get real. Bennett has looked passable at best, and that is based only on his personal performance and not the overall performance of the line. The line has done very little. They were neutered in the first game until the third period when Bennett score "the goal." The game last night was frustrating to watch because the line was ineffective all night long. The scoring opportunities were limited and dangerous scoring opportunities were almost zero.



Bennett looks the best because the bar is so embarrassingly low for him. If the same expectation is applied to the other players, the outcomes are about the same. And for Leivo and Simon that is for guys who have had zero adjustment time to the team and the systems. Players without 370+ games with the team, time to practice and observe, and time to get to know the guys away from the ice. Bennett should be given more time, but everyone else is expected to produce immediately? Nice double standard.

I dunno why you have this blind hate..

That line actually looked like it made some strides last night.

Bennett had a couple good chances, drove to the net and drew a penalty and he and Gaudreau connected on some nice plays in transition.

You should be a Flames fan above being a Bennett hater.

I agree they didn’t do great the game before but they deserved some credit last night.

[IamNotKenKing]

Originally Posted by SeanCharles

I dunno why you have this blind hate..

That line actually looked like it made some strides last night.

Bennett had a couple good chances, drove to the net and drew a penalty and he and Gaudreau connected on some nice plays in transition.

You should be a Flames fan above being a Bennett hater.

I agree they didn’t do great the game before but they deserved some credit last night.

I thought Bennett got better as the game went on, but he was a little "spastic" at times from my viewing. Meaning, not as calm and contemplative as Johnny and Mony are together. I love his bullheaded drive to the net attitude, but he needs to slow the game down sometimes as well. He did seem to get better at that, but the blind spinorama throw it to the net from the corner late, when I think he could have turned and found either Johnny or the d-man was one which sticks out to me.

I hope some time with them helps him relax, slow it down, and prosper.

[Pickle Juice]

Friedman also mentioned that the Penguins are essentially all in. I know Bennett doesn't make them a contender but now that Burkie is there I could see them as probably the most realistic trade partner at this point.

Any ideas who we would target from them?

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by IamNotKenKing

I thought Bennett got better as the game went on, but he was a little "spastic" at times from my viewing. Meaning, not as calm and contemplative as Johnny and Mony are together. I love his bullheaded drive to the net attitude, but he needs to slow the game down sometimes as well. He did seem to get better at that, but the blind spinorama throw it to the net from the corner late, when I think he could have turned and found either Johnny or the d-man was one which sticks out to me.

I hope some time with them helps him relax, slow it down, and prosper.

I agree.

But I am also hoping that his crash and bang recklessness will rub off on them and give them more energy.

I think they can all help each other.

[SeanCharles]

Originally Posted by IamNotKenKing

I thought Bennett got better as the game went on, but he was a little "spastic" at times from my viewing. Meaning, not as calm and contemplative as Johnny and Mony are together. I love his bullheaded drive to the net attitude, but he needs to slow the game down sometimes as well. He did seem to get better at that, but the blind spinorama throw it to the net from the corner late, when I think he could have turned and found either Johnny or the d-man was one which sticks out to me.

I hope some time with them helps him relax, slow it down, and prosper.

I know exactly what you mean and agree he needs to refine some of those aspects of his game but hopefully as he gets more comfortable on that line it will iron itself out.

I just don’t understand all the negativity from NE when there were most defiantly some positives to build on.

[SportsJunky]

Friedman also mentioned that the Penguins are essentially all in. I know Bennett doesn't make them a contender but now that Burkie is there I could see them as probably the most realistic trade partner at this point.

Any ideas who we would target from them?

As mentioned in an article in The Athletic yesterday, Pittsburgh just doesn't have a whole lot to offer in return. Sounds like they are very motivated to find a 3rd line center but their cupboards are quite bare.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by SeanCharles

I know exactly what you mean and agree he needs to refine some of those aspects of his game but hopefully as he gets more comfortable on that line it will iron itself out.

I just don’t understand all the negativity from NE when there were most defiantly some positives to build on.

And it isn't just about Monahan's line, there is another factor to this - Bennett being on that line has also allowed for the perfect setup for Backlund's line.

Lucic - Backlund - Mangiapane has been great.

That makes for 3 really solid lines. Has Gaudreau - Monahan - Bennett been perfect? No, But they have been good, and are getting better. And the 3 lines have been great, aggregately.

And the Flames have 2 Ws to show for it.

Nitpicking about Bennett not seeing Monahan in the slot is completely missing the plot, IMO.

[neo45]

Originally Posted by SportsJunky

As mentioned in an article in The Athletic yesterday, Pittsburgh just doesn't have a whole lot to offer in return. Sounds like they are very motivated to find a 3rd line center but their cupboards are quite bare.

Poulin

First round pick who has developed ok since then. Power forward with leadership qualities but got beat out for the junior team for whatever reason which surprised people

[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by Pickle Juice

Friedman also mentioned that the Penguins are essentially all in. I know Bennett doesn't make them a contender but now that Burkie is there I could see them as probably the most realistic trade partner at this point.

Any ideas who we would target from them?

Kapanen is who we'd want. Tanev is who we'd get.

[shadowlord]

Originally Posted by calumniate

No penalties from Sam last night. Quite the accomplishment

In 11 games played this season, Bennett has taken 2 minor penalties, both in the same game. Is it still "quite the accomplishment" when he's done the same thing in 10 out of 11 games?

[Enoch Root]

and one of the two was completely bogus

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by SeanCharles

I dunno why you have this blind hate..

That line actually looked like it made some strides last night.

Bennett had a couple good chances, drove to the net and drew a penalty and he and Gaudreau connected on some nice plays in transition.

You should be a Flames fan above being a Bennett hater.

I agree they didn’t do great the game before but they deserved some credit last night.

I'm a Flames fan first and foremost and care about the overall success of the TEAM. Individual glory doesn't excite me. When we start focusing on the individual players over the success of the team that tells me we're not very good. The focus on Bennett is one of those moments, because he does so little and the success is not there.

I re-watched the game this morning to make sure I wasn't missing something and my gut feel after the game that the line was neutered was validated. Monahan's line generated almost nothing last night. The stats line shows Monahan with a shot and Gaudreau with two. Sam Bennett had one. Is that what you really call that a good night? I have much higher expectations for the line that was carrying this team out of the gate. I expect that type of shot generation each period, not for a full game. For comparison sake, the centers on the other lines each had more shots than the entire line Bennett was on. Not a good night IMO. This is not a line that is designed to just spend time cycling the puck, this is a line that should be scoring goals. Since Bennett has been put on the line Monahan and Gaudreau each have three shots on goal, over two games. This is a good trend? Bennett may be playing with a little more jump, but when it drags down you two best offensive players to where their production is minimal, that's a mistake.

[442scotty]

I have to say, maybe, just maybe , Bennett is coming around and I want the flames to leave him where he is and give him a 20 game run assuming he doesn’t crap the bed and reverse course. Some guys take till their mid 20’s to mature mentally and he might be one of them. We would forever regret letting him go too soon

[bdubbs]

If they keep winning, I don't care if Gaudreau or Monahan have 2 or 3 shots a night each.

[TheIronMaiden]

Originally Posted by New Era

I'm a Flames fan first and foremost and care about the overall success of the TEAM. Individual glory doesn't excite me. When we start focusing on the individual players over the success of the team that tells me we're not very good. The focus on Bennett is one of those moments, because he does so little and the success is not there.

I re-watched the game this morning to make sure I wasn't missing something and my gut feel after the game that the line was neutered was validated. Monahan's line generated almost nothing last night. The stats line shows Monahan with a shot and Gaudreau with two. Sam Bennett had one. Is that what you really call that a good night? I have much higher expectations for the line that was carrying this team out of the gate. I expect that type of shot generation each period, not for a full game. For comparison sake, the centers on the other lines each had more shots than the entire line Bennett was on. Not a good night IMO. This is not a line that is designed to just spend time cycling the puck, this is a line that should be scoring goals. Since Bennett has been put on the line Monahan and Gaudreau each have three shots on goal, over two games. This is a good trend? Bennett may be playing with a little more jump, but when it drags down you two best offensive players to where their production is minimal, that's a mistake.

I don't think that you're wrong. I think that on the spectrum you are especially negative about Bennett, but you're not out of touch.

First, its worth noting that line was never on for a goal against. Secondly, they pulled the top shut down line of the jets for the majority of their ToI - Wheeler, Statsny and Vesalainen are one of the best shutdown units in the division - playing in front of one of the best goalies in the league.

I think that Gaudreau and Monahan in the past benefit from playing with a shooter and a checker. Ferland and Lindholm were both, but Hudler was only a shooter IIRC. Bennett is not much of a shooter but is certainly an excellent checker, I think that he could complement Gaudreau and Monahan by creating space with his speed and aggression. That said, Monahan and Gaudreau play best with guys who have finish. This Bennett does not posses. Its up to the coach and his line mates to express to him what he needs to do - we need the appreciate that this takes a little time, and he should be given as much runway as Levio.

The Bennett "problem" is far from solved. I don't think he fits well up the line up despite being exactly the type of player the Flames need more of ( some one who takes the puck with speed up the middle of the ice). I am cautiously optimistic, but get the sense that BT would move him in a heart beat for the right piece ( contrarily, if they don't get what they want BT is not moving him).