[PGT] Fire Ward and trade Bennett

[Tiger]

For some prespective. Toronto has played Ottawa 5 times, Edmonton played Ottawa 4 times, Winnipeg played Ottawa 4 time, Vancouver 3 times vs Ottawa, Montreal twice against Ottawa. With Ottawa’s 14 loses take the Ottawa games out we are not looking too bad. Now blow the four games coming up against Ottawa and then we suck.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

LOL.

Yeah it’s gotta be the first time an athlete, with exactly how much education, let a smooth talking con man lead him in to a bad decision

are you actually suggesting that Sam had no idea and made zero trade request to the team or his agent? Really?

And his comments since lead you to believe that?

no really?

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Rhett Warrener agrees...what message does it send playing this guy and how is he really helping you? Its not being petty it can't be good for the team to have a guy playing that wants out.

I don't think you have a clue about the dynamics of this locker room, or for that matter neither does Rhett Warrener.

Did you see Stajan's empathetic comments about Bennett the other night? Now think about it, Stajan, a former teammate of almost everyone one in this locker room, isn't ripping the player for wanting out.

How is he really helping you?

Well he had four shots at 5v5 tonight. That's more than every combination of forwards on the team other than Michael Backlund combined.

I guess you don't need shots on goal to win ####ing hockey games though.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Tiger

For some prespective. Toronto has played Ottawa 5 times, Edmonton played Ottawa 4 times, Winnipeg played Ottawa 4 time, Vancouver 3 times vs Ottawa, Montreal twice against Ottawa. With Ottawa’s 14 loses take the Ottawa games out we are not looking too bad. Now blow the four games coming up against Ottawa and then we suck.

Win tomorrow is pretty big...3 points back of the Oilers with two games in hand

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

I don't think you have a clue about the dynamics of this locker room, or for that matter neither does Rhett Warrener.

Did you see Stajan's empathetic comments about Bennett the other night? Now think about it, Stajan, a former teammate of almost everyone one in this locker room, isn't ripping the player for wanting out.

How is he really helping you?

Well he had four shots at 5v5 tonight. That's more than every combination of forwards on the team other than Michael Backlund combined.

I guess you don't need shots on goal to win ####ing hockey games though.

Shots that don't go in help you now? this is getting ridiculous

Guy has 15 points over two years, he isn't the difference maker

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Rhett Warrener agrees...what message does it send playing this guy and how is he really helping you? Its not being petty it can't be good for the team to have a guy playing that wants out.

People misrepresented what Friedman’s report was too.

“Being open to a change of scenery” Does not equal “Trade me right now Treliving, I don’t want to be here”

Bennett is within his right to be open to a change of scenery, especially with how the coaching staff has handled him so far this year. Bennett is also an RFA and knows the writing is likely on the wall for him here with the expansion draft looming. I don’t blame him for wanting an opportunity to maybe go somewhere with a bigger role prior to all that.

I love Rhett but he’s not in that dressing room right now, and never played with any of the guys in that room. All other reports are that Bennett is actually a well liked guy in the room. We have no idea if the room doesn’t want him in the lineup, and it’s possible the room actually want him to stay here too.

So what would cause more issues in the room then? Bennett being frustrated with how’s he’s being used, or Ward being petty and taking it out on a guy who is well liked in that room.

Feels it me like Ward is the one mismanaging things here and really just proving Bennett’s point. His leash when he’s put in a good opportunity seems to be a lot shorter than anybody else’s leash.

Edit: To be clear Bennett or his agent should have never went to the media but being petty about it doesn’t help anybody. Figure it out, talk about it like adults, and move on. No need to be petty or hold a grudge.

[browna]

The bigger concern for Ward is that all this hot air spewed in the last days and then today by the GM, barely moved the needle for the players. They are, as far as I can see, working hard (maybe not smart or efficient, but effort is there) and need some guidance and leadership to turn that effort into an NHL level organized effort, which they aren’t getting that direction from behind the bench, or trusting thst what he is telling them is going to turn things around. Just like what happened under GG by 1/4 way through his second season.

But you figure all the navel gazing and strong wording would light at least a temporary fire for a home game, tonight, vs their rivals. But it didn’t. And that’s a huge trouble sign for Ward as the coach of this team.

A somewhat comical stick toss as the last desperate attempt got GG points in 6 of the next 7 games before he fell off a cliff again and Ward got a dud after his nearing-last resort comments.

If it was any other team, you could give the opponent some credit for locking up the Flames defensively.
But it’s the Oilers, just a terrible defensive team, and their offensive stars did not beat us.

Mutiny is not the right word but the words from Ward and Treliving did not change the attitude for the team, and as a result it is now worse because their wasn’t that bounce back. If tomorrow doesn’t yield two points, look out.

[Jiggy_12]

I’m just ready for a new team. One can only take so much of the same disappointment

This feels familiar and not in a nice way

[dino7c]

For the record saying Bennett shouldn't be playing in the first place isn't defending Ward, that is his mistake.

What Bennett brings to the table doesn't outweigh the obvious distraction IMO. Agree or don't. When former NHLers say the same thing I don't think its all that outlandish though.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Shots that don't go in help you now?

Sam Bennett is a career 10.2% shooter.

Elias Lindholm before becoming a Flame was a career 8.9% shooter.

Michael Backlund is a career 9.2% shooter

Nazem Kadri up to age 25 was a career 10.5% shooter

His numbers are typically right in line with players who don't play on their top powerplay unit.

I don't know what your definition of "don't go in" is, but if you get more shots, eventually they go in.

When you get no more shots, by benching the only guy getting shots, they definitely do not go in.

So yes, if a guy has four shots in a game while the rest of the team's forwards finish the game with 5 shots combined, I do want that 10.2% career shooter shooting more ####ing shots.

You know how he will get more shots?

By not being benched for an average backcheck and a bad read.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Shots that don't go in help you now? this is getting ridiculous

Guy has 15 points over two years, he isn't the difference maker

Jesus. It’s hard to keep up.

If Geoff Ward benched every guy who isn’t whatever you are looking for in a difference maker, you would only have something like 3 skaters

Seriously wtf are you on about. Lucic hands over the puck to a guy for a shorty and doesn’t get benched

Tkachuk is a bloody mess lately. 0 points in the last 5 but, oh boy, so many cute between the legs failures

You may not just get it and that’s fine. You don’t think Bennett gets it. I don’t think Ward gets it

We agree Bennett is not the primary issue

Ward seems to think he is, or else his management is Ward’s best idea

I’m tired of this idiot

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Edit: To be clear Bennett or his agent should have never went to the media but being petty about it doesn’t help anybody. Figure it out, talk about it like adults, and move on. No need to be petty or hold a grudge.

Even today Tre said that Bennett’s agent had a conversation with the media.
He possibly could have but didn’t directly implicate Sam.

[mile]

Originally Posted by Sec214

Where there is smoke, there is fire... Wardo's wife carried u-Haul boxes into our building today.

He gone?

[ForeverFlameFan]

Not too long ago Ward said, “it’s about time we give a ****.”

So, when will that be, Geoff?

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by dino7c

For the record saying Bennett shouldn't be playing in the first place isn't defending Ward, that is his mistake.

What Bennett brings to the table doesn't outweigh the obvious distraction IMO. Agree or don't. When former NHLers say the same thing I don't think its all that outlandish though.

that's not even a good appeal to authority...

one former player said the same thing, but another former player said basically the exact opposite

[dino7c]

Are you guys going to be this defensive when Sam Bennett is on the 4th line with another team?

I guess that is the difference in opinion...I just don't see him as a very good NHLer. I think he ends up like most players who have left the Flames for greener pastures. Frolik, Colborne, ect.

Ward can bench Leivo, Simon, Lucic, whomever else.

Guys with more than 10 points get a little more leash, this is the NHL

[Poison]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

Even today Tre said that Bennett’s agent had a conversation with the media.
He possibly could have but didn’t directly implicate Sam.

You are all sorts of f'd. What kind of agent talks on his clients behalf without his knowledge or any sort of consent and still works in his field afterward.
My. God.

[Wastedyouth]

Well, I see we are taking this loss well....

[blender]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Win tomorrow is pretty big...3 points back of the Oilers with two games in hand

Yes.
And there is no reason it isn't possible. Oilers do suck and Flames can certainly beat them.
Its funny because the sky is falling here for sure and its understandable because the look like ass, but they are going to win some more games this year, possibly enough to make the playoffs.
I'm getting mentally prepared for the high-tension playoff race, though.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Are you guys going to be this defensive when Sam Bennett is on the 4th line with another team?

I guess that is the difference in opinion...I just don't see him as a very good NHLer. I think he ends up like most players who have left the Flames for greener pastures. Frolik, Colborne, ect.

Ward can bench Leivo, Simon, Lucic, whomever else.

Guys with more than 10 points get a little more leash, this is the NHL

Except when Bennett isn’t scoring, he’s made a much bigger impact than those three players listed. Lucic has his moments of greatness, but Bennett has been pretty consistent with being a wrecking ball and grinding out the opponent’s players.

Why you sit him in the third period and allow NHL tweeners to play more shifts than him is beyond me.