The Legend of Sam Bennett

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

So we're saying Florida's 16th ranked prospect is our 5th best? That's embarrassing and if so, hopefully only because whoever ranked their prospects knew nothing about him.

Shiny new toy syndrome.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by New Era

That list definitely needs to be revamped with the arrival of Sutter and the three year contract. That move has to be death for Phillips, Pettersen, Francis, and Zavgorodniy, then a huge lift for Ruzicka, Pospisil, Kuznetsov, and Solovyov. I'd put Heineman in the #6 slot on the list and then elevate Ruzicka, Kuznetsov, and add Solovyov to the ranks, probably dropping Francis from the top 20.

Hey man, with Benny gone I was wondering what you’d be doing with all your newfound time

Write a novel, take up piano at a late age, paint a masterpiece?

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

This doesn't look weird at all...

https://twitter.com/user/status/1382020197570260995

So does #9 not mean what it used to anymore?

[Reggie Dunlop]

Originally Posted by New Era

That list definitely needs to be revamped with the arrival of Sutter and the three year contract. That move has to be death for Phillips, Pettersen, Francis, and Zavgorodniy, then a huge lift for Ruzicka, Pospisil, Kuznetsov, and Solovyov. I'd put Heineman in the #6 slot on the list and then elevate Ruzicka, Kuznetsov, and add Solovyov to the ranks, probably dropping Francis from the top 20.

Yeah, 5 or 6 .... about there. This is a second rounder in the Dillon Dube range as far as potential (and a bit more size). A lot of upside with "the Panthers got robbed" vibe.

Of course with prospects, nothing's guaranteed. But a nice asset at this point.

[BeltlineFan]

Originally Posted by Flamesfan05

Only guys clearly over him are Zary and Peletier

It’s a joke that Poireir and Francis jumped him in a few months

And no, the midget goalie is not a better prospect

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

This doesn't look weird at all...

https://twitter.com/user/status/1382020197570260995

That is the most hallowed number in the game...big expectations with it.

Howe, Richard, Hull, McDonald, Duff, Kariya, Bucyk, Nicholls, Anderson (shudder), Modano, Bathgate....others that may still get there.

[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by transplant99

That is the most hallowed number in the game...big expectations with it.

Howe, Richard, Hull, McDonald, Duff, Kariya, Bucyk, Nicholls, Anderson (shudder), Modano, Bathgate....others that may still get there.

Don't forget Sergei Zholtok and Harri Pesonen.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

So we're saying Florida's 16th ranked prospect is our 5th best? That's embarrassing and if so, hopefully only because whoever ranked their prospects knew nothing about him.

Well, that and Calgary's prospects are pretty ####e.

[ForeverFlameFan]

There better be a Lanny stache come playoff time

[Sandman]

I would put Heinie(?) somewhere between 5-10. Just my opinion-I think there's alot of numbers that show we have something here, and he passes the eye test with flying colors. Sutter will love him too methinks.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

Hey man, with Benny gone I was wondering what you’d be doing with all your newfound time

Write a novel, take up piano at a late age, paint a masterpiece?

Nah, I'll just float blissfully in the pool of your warm salty tears.

[djsFlames]

Still very happy with the return.

FLA definitely paid specifically for playoff Benny as they have post season aspirations.

[Robbob]

I haven't looked at the Panthers roster. Do they have to make any hard decisions around the expansion draft with Bennett now on the team? The failed miserably last go with Vegas.

[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by New Era

Nah, I'll just float blissfully in the pool of your warm salty tears.

Quenneville and Zito clearly think Bennett is worth a lot more than you, so I wouldn't be taking a victory lap just yet.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by Robbob

I haven't looked at the Panthers roster. Do they have to make any hard decisions around the expansion draft with Bennett now on the team? The failed miserably last go with Vegas.

Well, they do have Barkov, Huberdeau, Hornqvist, Vatrano, Duclair, Verhaeghe, and Wallmark up front that they may consider protecting. Then on the blueline they have Ekblad, Yandle, Stralman, Weegar, Nutivaara, Forsling, and Gudas. I don't see a clear protection list there. Based on the investment they just made I suspect they qualify and protect Bennett, but then try and sign him to a two year prove it contract at less than the qualification.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by albertGQ

Hunter Smith was passed by all teams for 7 rounds in 2013. Sucks that we picked him with a 2nd rounder in 2014. At least that was the Berra pick (I think?) so it wasn't too bad. But would've loved to have a serviceable NHLer picked in the 2nd round
.

The fact he was passed over doesn't bother me at all. There have been a lot of good players that have not been drafted in there first year of eligibility. The issue was more the type of player being picked: big and not skilled.

My approach to the draft would be home run swings in every round. Those are the franchise changing picks. So take your swings. I would be asking my scouts to describe if they could see their player playing in the top of our line-up, or being an impact on the roster. In the later rounds the chances of that would be far slimmer but I'll still take a guy who has a 10% chance of being an impact player over a guy that has a 50% chance of being a 4th liner.

Draft for upside. Each pick. Every round.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

The fact he was passed over doesn't bother me at all. There have been a lot of good players that have not been drafted in there first year of eligibility. The issue was more the type of player being picked: big and not skilled.

My approach to the draft would be home run swings in every round. Those are the franchise changing picks. So take your swings. I would be asking my scouts to describe if they could see their player playing in the top of our line-up, or being an impact on the roster. In the later rounds the chances of that would be far slimmer but I'll still take a guy who has a 10% chance of being an impact player over a guy that has a 50% chance of being a 4th liner.

Draft for upside. Each pick. Every round.

100%. Easier to fill the bottom 6 with UFA vets rather than trying to “home grow” one. Always pick for huge upside.

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by transplant99

That is the most hallowed number in the game...big expectations with it.

Howe, Richard, Hull, McDonald, Duff, Kariya, Bucyk, Nicholls, Anderson (shudder), Modano, Bathgate....others that may still get there.

Yeah, give Bennett 99 and watch Edmonton erupt.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Rick M.

Yeah, give Bennett 99 and watch Edmonton erupt.

That would, in fact, be hilarious but cant happen.

99 is retired league wide.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

The fact he was passed over doesn't bother me at all. There have been a lot of good players that have not been drafted in there first year of eligibility. The issue was more the type of player being picked: big and not skilled.

My approach to the draft would be home run swings in every round. Those are the franchise changing picks. So take your swings. I would be asking my scouts to describe if they could see their player playing in the top of our line-up, or being an impact on the roster. In the later rounds the chances of that would be far slimmer but I'll still take a guy who has a 10% chance of being an impact player over a guy that has a 50% chance of being a 4th liner.

Draft for upside. Each pick. Every round.

I mostly agree with this sentiment as well - draft for value, make trades later to balance it out.


The only issue is that it becomes expensive to acquire grit that can play. Look at what Goodrow went for last year, for instance.



Also, the Flames were interested in Smith since his first draft eligibility. They invited him after the draft, but I think he was nursing an injury, or something or other. That next season saw him shoot up in points and he was playing both PK and PP on his team, and looking good actually with skilled players. He wasn't picked as a goon, or even as a 4th liner. Him (and Kanzig) were both identified as being large players who had been improving their skill level.



Hitting it out of the park is getting a big, fast, tough and skilled player too. I still don't hate that the Flames tried to go for it. Just sucked that it didn't work out.