The Legend of Sam Bennett

[tvp2003]

I personally didn’t think Sam would ever amount to more than a third liner at the NHL level.

Probably why I’m just a rando on the internet and not a pro coach or scout. Way to go Sam.

[DeluxeMoustache]

And Bennett got traded because the Flames had excess depth on C, and a shortage of Emil Heinemans

[Ashasx]

Just when I thought the timeline couldn't get darker.

[Hackey]

Originally Posted by Knightslayer

He doesn't play with Barkov and we do have a winger as good as Huberdeau.

Don't think a GM in the league would trade Johnny for Huberdeau.

Good for Bennett though. I really did not see this coming and he just keeps producing.

[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by Johnny Makarov

You should hear the mumblings on Sanjosepuck about Kipper!

I think they are probably okay with Vlasic and winning 16 series since that trade.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by powderjunkie

I think they are probably okay with Vlasic and winning 16 series since that trade.

Maybe they win a cup with Kipper.

[BigRed]

Not counting these chickens just yet.

[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Maybe they win a cup with Kipper.

Especially in 2004...even if Kipper didn't play another minute for SJ, they might well have gone all the way [not having to face him in the conf. finals].

I'm not sure if Nabokov or Niemi ever choked them away a series, though?

Nabokov posted a 1.71 gaa and .935 in the 2004 playoffs (17gp) - even better than Kipper's astounding 1.85 and .928 (26 games).

Even if SJ discovered Kipper to be an upgrade on Nabokov it's hard to imagine they'd also manage to flip EN into a Vlasic calibre asset.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

And Bennett got traded because the Flames had excess depth on C, and a shortage of Emil Heinemans

Flames basically played tonight with 2.5 centers since sounds like Monahan not fully “up to speed” per Darryl.

Whoops.

[Samonadreau]

Originally Posted by Hackey

Don't think a GM in the league would trade Johnny for Huberdeau.

Good for Bennett though. I really did not see this coming and he just keeps producing.

Huberdeau may have the most points per dollar spent on his contract the last 3 seasons for non ELC. The guy is grossly underrated and a late bloomer.

Also well out scored Johnny last couple seasons.

[shadowlord]

I realize that tonight is only one game, but Bennett's goals tonight really weren't a function of his quality teammates.

Goal 1 - garbage goal off a goalie-rebound from a point shot.

Goal 2 - wraparound goal where Sam had possession from the blueline in (arguably he goal a good pass from Huberdeau just inside the blueline, but Sam had to weave his way around all 5 defenders)

Goal 3 - Bennett carried the puck from his own blueline and sniped it on entry.

[SuperMatt18]

Sam is playing with confidence and without worrying that a mistake means he’s back in the bottom 6.

Really is a shame that he seemed to be typecast as a “Physical Winger” here and that he didn’t get a real run as the skilled Center he was supposed to be.

Treliving, Gulutzan, and Peters/Ward all to blame there but really by this point we were never going to see this in Calgary. He needed the fresh start, asked for a trade, and good on him for making the most of it.

[Angelino]

Flames player goes to the state of Florida and makes good after being miscast in Calgary. Sounds familiar….

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

Just when I thought the timeline couldn't get darker.

This should be the last day that Sam Bennett has more goals than the Calgary Flames this year. So it should get better

[Flamesfan05]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

And Bennett got traded because the Flames had excess depth on C, and a shortage of Emil Heinemans

The Flames chose to go with Monahan. It was looking good for a couple years but At this point his elevator is going down while Bennett’s is going up.

[Joborule]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

LMAO. Hat trick for Bennett. Hats and rats all over the ice.

Originally Posted by TurdFerguson

Love to see it. Good for him.

The Flames are getting exactly what they deserve.

A ####ty organization, gets ####ty results. The last 30 years speaks for itself.

Happy Bennett was able to escape and salvage his career as a great player.

[Geeoff]

Honestly, I'm happy for Bennett. Power forwards are often late bloomers.

[Jiri Hrdina]

I think it's an interesting "What If" question to consider if the Flames hadn't traded Sam.

I start with the premise that he would have continued to play better under Sutter but it is unlikely he would have taken a massive step that we've seen in Florida so far.

So then the question is...do the Flames leave him unprotected. I think that answer is Yes.

Then the question is...does Seattle take him or Gio? On one hand, they seemed to focus on building their blueline and Gio is a big part of that. On the other hand their forward group is very weak including at Centre.

So I think it's 50/50 but for the sake of the thought exercise, let's say they take Sam.

So at the end of all that where does that leave the Flames
- Still without Sam
- They wouldn't have the assets (2nd and Emil) gained from the Sam trade
- On the other hand they would have Gio still
- They would also have potential assets gained from flipping him at this deadline (probably less than 50% chance that would have happened though)
- They likely do not trade for and sign Zadarov. Not sure if the Gudbransson signing is as impacted. Perhaps.

Just fun to play out how it would have impacted other decisions.

[TheSquatch]

I remember when Olli Jokinen finally landed here, and the Flames won a game, just crushed the opponent and Olli potted 2, and it felt like "Okay, THIS is what we've been waiting for." and then basically he sucked for the rest of the time here.

I don't expect Bennett to get a hat trick every night. No one does. But the fact that he did score 3, in 3 different ways, and as pointed out it wasn't like he was riding on the coat tails of great players, he was just playing hockey.... yeah it speaks really badly for the Flames as an organization.

Sven Baertschi and Mark Jankowski were rightly passed over. They just weren't what we all hoped. That happens. But if Bennett exels and has a great year in Florida.... boy it's gonna look bad here. Good for him if he does, I was never a great believer in his hockey IQ. But maybe the Flames are just so mediocre he couldn't get going.

[CsInMyBlood]

Good on Sam starting out with the hatty.